bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of the AstraZeneca suspensions on the public’s vaccination intentions and trust
Authors: de Vries M , Claassen L , Lambooij M , Timen A 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
In spring 2021, several countries, among which the Netherlands, suspended vaccinations against COVID-19 with the Vaxzevria vaccine from AstraZeneca (AZ) after reports of rare but severe adverse events (SAE). We investigated the impact of this news and the suspension on the Dutch public’s COVID-19 vaccination intentions, COVID-19 vaccination perceptions (attitudes and feelings) and their trust in the government’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Methods
We conducted two surveys (N = 2628), one shortly before the AZ suspension in the Netherlands and one shortly thereafter when all vaccinations were resumed. Chi2 tests were conducted to study changes in COVID-19 vaccination perceptions, intentions and trust before and after the suspension, and differences between perceptions and intentions regarding AZ vaccines compared to COVID-19 vaccines in general. All variables were measured on a 5-point Likert scale.

Results
No significant changes were observed in COVID-19 vaccination perceptions and intentions, but trust in the campaign declined slightly (mean diff.(ΔM)=-0.2, 95% CI=-0.3/-0.2). In addition, compared to COVID-19 vaccinations in general, respondents were less likely to vaccinate with AZ (ΔM=-0.7, 95% CI=-0.7/-0.7), reported less positive vaccine attitudes (ΔM=-0.7, 95% CI=-0.7/-0.7), and more negative feelings (ΔM=0.5, 95% CI = 0.4/0.5).

Conclusions
The news on SAE and the AZ suspension might have caused a decline in trust in the government’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign, as well as negatively impacted AZ vaccination perceptions and intentions. These results stress the need to adapt vaccination policies to anticipated public perceptions and responses following a vaccine safety scare, as well as the importance of informing citizens about the possibility of very rare SAE prior to the introduction of novel vaccines.

Key messages
• Trust in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign declined following the news on rare but severe adverse events (SAE) and the suspension of AstraZeneca vaccines.
• While the news on SAE and the vaccination suspension did not seem to impact COVID-19 vaccination intentions in general, intentions to vaccinate with AstraZeneca were considerably lower.
“My quality of life was not the best” experiences of Australians during the COVID pandemic
Authors: Green H , MacPhail C , Fernandez R 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The social and economic impacts that have occurred during the pandemic can disproportionally affect those already experiencing poverty. The social determinants of health aggravate inequalities and can adversely affect wellbeing. This study aims to gain rich insight into Australian adults’ experiences of the social determinants of health and the impact on their wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
A descriptive qualitative study using purposive sampling to recruit participants for semi-structured interviews, conducted via videoconferencing between March-August 2021. Thematic analysis was performed with the support of NVivo 12.

Results
Participants included 20 Australian adults from various socioeconomic areas ranging in age from 21 to 65 years. Three main themes emerged from the analysis of the data: Food-related concerns; Housing outcomes; and Psychological and emotional impact. Accessing food, during the COVID-19 pandemic, for most participants who resided in low socioeconomic areas, was described as stressful and challenging. Along with the burden of food security, many participants from low socioeconomic areas expressed emotional distress in relation to securing and maintaining adequate housing.

Conclusions
The pandemic has amplified existing social determinants of health experienced by those within low socioeconomic areas, particularly those who are female and from migrant communities. The wellbeing of participants from low socioeconomic areas decreased in response to their experiences and challenges with food insecurity and housing instability, highlighting the need for housing affordability strategies and funding of emergency food relief initiatives. Food access for those in areas with high socioeconomic disadvantage, can be improved to address some of the barriers associated with food security by providing supermarket meal vouchers, access to community gardens, and school food programs.

Key messages
• The housing and food insecurity experienced by participants in this study during the pandemic has influenced their overall wellbeing.
• The pandemic has amplified existing social determinants of health experienced by those in low socioeconomic areas.
Impact of mask-wearing on child and adolescent psychosocial development: a systematic review
Authors: Freiberg A , Horvath K , Hahne TM , Drössler S , Kämpf D , Spura A , Buhs B , Seidler A 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Wearing face masks in public is recommended under certain circumstances in order to prevent infectious diseases transmitted through droplets. The objective was to compile all German and English research results from peer-reviewed journal articles using a sensitive literature search on the effects of mask-wearing for preventing infectious diseases on the psychosocial development of children and adolescents.

Methods
A systematic review was conducted considering different study designs (search period up until 12 July 2021). The risk of bias in the studies was determined using a risk of bias procedure. A descriptive-narrative synthesis of the results was performed. A search update will be conducted shortly before the conference.

Results
Thirteen studies were included, and the overall risk of bias was estimated to be high in all primary studies. There are some indications from the included surveys that children, adolescents, and their teachers in (pre)schools perceived facial expression processing as impaired due to mask-wearing, which were confirmed by several experimental studies. Two studies reported psychological symptoms like anxiety and stress as well as concentration and learning problems due to wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic. One survey study during the 2002/2003 SARS pandemic examined oral examination performance in English as a foreign language and showed no difference between the “mask” and “no mask” conditions. The results are preliminary and may be extended due to the search update.

Conclusions
Only little evidence can be derived on the effects of face masks on different developmental areas of children and adolescents based on the small number of studies. There is a lack of research data regarding the following outcomes: psychological development, language development, emotional development, social behaviour, school success, and participation. Further cluster-randomized controlled trials or longitudinal studies are required.

Key messages
• Empirical and experimental evidence shows that mask-wearing impairs facial expression among children, adolescents, and teachers in (pre)schools.
• Research on the following developmental areas is missing: psychological development, language development, emotional development, social behaviour, school success, and participation.
Total, sex and age-specific excess mortality during 2020 in 20 countries part of the C-MOR consortium
Authors: Demetriou CA , Achilleos S , Quattrocchi A , Nicolaou N , Gabel J 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Nationally published COVID-19 mortality estimates might underestimate the actual mortality burden attributed to COVID-19. Estimations of excess all-cause mortality can provide more accurate estimates of the toll of the pandemic. This study aims to estimate the overall, sex and age-specific excess all-cause mortality in 20 countries, during 2020. Total, sex and age-specific weekly all-cause death counts for 2015-2020 were extracted from national vital statistics databases. Percent excess mortality for 2020 was calculated by comparing average weekly 2020 mortality rates against average weekly mortality rates from the past five years (2015-2019). Comparisons were performed for the total population, per sex, and per age groups (&lt;65 vs. 65+ or &lt; 70 vs.70+) depending on data availability. Percent difference in average weekly mortality between 2020 and 2015-2019 ranged from negative for Australia and Norway, to &lt; 5% for Denmark, Cyprus, Estonia, Israel, and Sweden, 5-10% for Georgia, Mauritius, Ukraine, Austria, France, Scotland and Northern Ireland, to ∼10-21% for England & Wales, Italy, Brazil, USA, Slovenia, and to 89% for Peru. The percent difference in average weekly mortality between 2020 and 2015-2019 for males was higher than for females except for Cyprus, Estonia, Slovenia and the USA. Lastly, in age specific analyses, for the majority of countries the % increase in average weekly mortality between 2020 and 2015-2019, was higher in the oldest age group investigated, however, for Peru and the USA (&lt;65 vs. 65+ years) and for Cyprus and Mauritius (&lt;70 vs. 70+ years), mortality increased similarly in both age groups. This study highlights that the excess mortality burden during the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionally affected specific countries, males, and in most, but not all countries, the oldest age groups. Strengthening of health resilience in the most affected countries, while targeting population groups impacted the most, is of paramount public health importance.

Key messages
• Excess mortality burden during the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionally affected specific countries, and even within countries specific sex and age groups.
• Further investigation into the determinants of excess mortality is needed to suggest steps to strengthen health resilience in the countries and target population groups impacted the most.
Mortality in Covid-19 patients hospitalized in a teaching hospital in Italy during the first 3 waves
Authors: Bertolotti M , Betti M , Ferrante D , Giacchero F , Odone A , Franceschetti G , Carotenuto M , Pacileo G , Maconi A 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Introduction
In Italy a Covid-19 pandemic pattern was observed, characterized by several waves, with an excess total mortality of 178000 deaths. Alessandria, Italy is the Piedmont province with the highest proportion of mortality from Covid-19 in the first 4 months of 2020, compared to the rest of the region.

Objectives
To analyze mortality in patients hospitalized for Covid-19 in the Alessandria Hospital (AO AL), considering the first 3 waves.

Materials and methods
Subjects aged ≥18 with a diagnosis of Covid-19 admitted to the AO AL in the first 50 days of the first 3 waves were included. The first wave started on 24 February 2020 (first day of available data by the Ministry of Health), the second wave on 14 September 2020 (first day of the 2020/21 school year), the third wave on 15 February 2021 (peak of cases detected by the Italian College of Health). The causes of death were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics death cards and codified according to the International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, classification.

Results
We included 825 subjects (median age: 73 years; male prevalence: 60.7%). The subjects hospitalized in the first wave were 464, in the second wave 255, in the third wave 106. A total of 309 subjects died (37.5%), of which 218 in the first wave (70.6%), 69 in the second wave (22.3%), 22 in the third wave (7.1%). The most frequent causes of death were “Covid-19 pneumonia” (61.5%) and “respiratory distress syndrome” (19.4%). Death occurred after hospital discharge in 40% of cases. 6 months after admission, the survival rate was 53% among patients of the first wave, 73% and 78% for those of the second and third wave. Patients hospitalized in the first and second waves showed a greater risk of death compared to patients of the third wave (HR = 2.8; 95% CI 1.8-4.4 and HR = 1.4; 95% CI 0.8-2.2).

Conclusions
Data showed a difference in mortality between the 3 waves with a statistically significant variation between the first and third waves.

Key messages
• Data showed a difference in mortality between the 3 waves.
• Data showed a statistically significant variation in mortality between the first and third waves.
Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among healthcare workers and the general population in Cyprus
Authors: Giannakou K , Fakonti G , Kyprianidou M 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Vaccination is a critical intervention in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Various levels of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance have been observed around the world. However, a high percentage of the general population and healthcare professionals (HCPs), refuse the COVID-19 vaccination. This study aims to examine the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake among HCPs and the general population in Cyprus.

Methods
An online cross-sectional study was conducted, using a self-administered questionnaire to collect information covering various potential determinants including sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, trust in the healthcare system, satisfaction with it, utilization of preventive healthcare services, COVID-19 vaccination information, and general vaccination knowledge.

Results
A total of 2582 participants completed the survey, with 53.5% of individuals in the general population, and 70.0% of the HCPs received the COVID-19 vaccination. We found that as the age increases by one year among the general population, the odds of being vaccinated against COVID-19 increase by 1.02 units (95% 1.00-1.03, p-value=0.035), whilst those with increased trust in national healthcare authorities’ guidelines (OR = 3.96, 95% CI: 3.41-4.61) and increased vaccination knowledge scores (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.05-1.18) were significantly more likely to be vaccinated. Furthermore, male HCPs (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.01-3.59), and those who reported increased trust in national healthcare authorities’ guidelines (OR = 5.38, 95% CI: 3.65-7.95) were significantly more likely to be vaccinated.

Conclusions
Public health policymakers can use national campaigns and long-term planning to build public trust in national healthcare authorities and educate and raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination. Such strategies could pave the way for adequate vaccine uptake and prepare the public for unfavorable scenarios, such as future pandemics.

Key messages
• Our results revealed the importance of vaccination knowledge and trust in healthcare system in respect to COVID-19 vaccination uptake.
• The urgent need for national campaigns and long-term planning to build public trust in national healthcare authorities.
Facing COVID-19 in Georgia - left behind children coping better with COVID-19 precautions
Authors: Antia K , Berner-Rodoreda A , Winkler V 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Georgia, a major migrant sending country, with about 39% of children living with their caregivers while at least one of the parents migrated (left-behind children, LBC) has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The main aim of this study was to qualitatively explore LBC’s perception and experience during the pandemic.

Methods
Between December 2021 and January 2022, we conducted 39 (29 LBC, 10 non-LBC) individual in-depth interviews with schoolchildren aged 12-18 in a public school from a migrant sending region. We conducted life history narrative interviews and used a thematic analysis approach.

Results
Preliminary findings show four salient themes: (1) Family members’ first reactions to the pandemic influence children’s emotional health irrespective of parents’ working arrangements. Children express less stress and anxiety when families show emotional stability and are not overwhelmed by the pandemic; (2) All interviewed children find COVID-19 and home-schooling a challenge. (3) LBC express more intense fear about infecting their grandparents than non-LBC. (4) Closer family ties to parents and siblings and access to better equipment help LBC to cope better than non-LBC. LBC view a positive side of Covid-19 in being able to enjoy more time with a parent, who would have otherwise worked abroad.

Conclusions
Overall, all children perceive the COVID-19 pandemic as a challenge, yet closeness with a returned parent and with siblings and more affluence helps LBC to cope better than non-LBC with COVID-19 precautionary measures like home-schooling.

Key messages
• All children are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emotional stability in the family is important in fostering resilience and coping mechanisms among children.
• LBC experience the added benefit of better equipped homes and enjoy the presence of the migrant parent at home.
Are we socially equally at risk of smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic? French data from 2009-2021
Authors: Andersen AJ , Melchior M , Mary-Krause M , Wallez S , Hecker I 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected people including a significant increase in mental health difficulties. Cigarette smoking is found to be strongly associated with mental health conditions, which is why the pandemic might have influenced the secular decline in smoking rates observed over recent years. Persons belonging to socioeconomically disadvantaged groups may be particularly affected, both because the pandemic is found to exacerbate existing social inequalities and because this group was more likely to smoke before the pandemic. We examined the prevalence of smoking in a French cohort study, focusing on differences between educational attainment. In addition, we examined the association between educational level and interpersonal changes in tobacco consumption from 2018 to 2021.

Methods
The TEMPO cohort study included 1785 French adults followed between 1991 and 2021. With four assessments of smoking status available before and two after the onset of COVID-19, we estimated the smoking prevalence over time stratified by highest obtained diploma. We studied interpersonal change in smoking status between 2018 and 2021 among 148 smokers, using multinomial logistic regression.

Results
The prevalence of smokers was higher among those with low educational attainment compared with those with higher diploma at all timepoints. The difference between the two groups increased from 2020 to 2021 (4.8% to 9.4%). Smokers with high educational level were more likely to decrease their tobacco consumption from 2018-2021 compared to low educated smokers (aOR=2.72 [1.26;5.89]).

Conclusions
Current findings showed a widening of the socioeconomic gap over time in smoking rates, which emphasizes the vulnerability of persons with low educational attainment to smoking, also during the pandemic.

Key messages
• The existing gap in smoking prevalence between lower and higher diploma groups has increased from 2020 to 2021, which may be a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• From 2018 to 2021, people with high school as highest qualification were less likely to decrease their tobacco use compared to higher educated people.
Over-the-counter Medication Use during Pandemic: Lessons Learned from Covid-19 in Lithuania
Authors: Bikniūtė I , Paric M , Clemens T , Commers M , Brand H , Vladičkienėa J , Elands RJJ 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Despite the growing awareness about nonprescription misuse of anxiolytics, there is not much evidence about people’s behavior during the covid-19 lockdown when access to healthcare specialists was limited. Over the counter drug use has risen sharply in the past decades among college students and junior health care workers, yet, there are few studies reporting on the use of nonprescription medicine groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
A cross-sectional study among 163 second-year medical students of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences was conducted in Kaunas, Lithuania with self-reported measures of anxiety and insomnia and comparing nonprescription medicine use for anxiety and insomnia before and during the covid-19 pandemic.

Results
A near two-fold increase in the prevalence of anxiety and insomnia among Lithuanian medical students was reported during the covid-19 pandemic compared to before the onset of the pandemic (p &lt; 0,001). The use of nonprescription medication increased during the pandemic (p &lt; 0,001), in particular anxiolytics (p &lt; 0,05). Once-weekly anxiolytic medication use increased from 8,0% before the pandemic to 14,7% during the pandemic. Regular nonprescription medicine use (2-3 times weekly) had more than tripled, from 2,4% to 9,2%. During the pandemic, almost a fifth of the respondents were increasingly searching for information on anxiolytic nonprescription medication online during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic.

Conclusions
During the covid-19 pandemic, the prevalence of anxiety and insomnia increased among Lithuanian medical students, along with the practice of anxiolytic nonprescription medications. Lithuanian medical students increasingly practiced self-medication during the pandemic and found the information on nonprescription medication increasingly online, which offers opportunities for telemedicine.

Key messages
• During the covid-19 pandemic, the prevalence of anxiety and insomnia increased among Lithuanian medical students, along with the practice of anxiolytic nonprescription medications.
• During covid-19, Lithuanian medical students increasingly retrieved information on nonprescription medication online instead of consulting a pharmacist, offering opportunities for telemedicine.
Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in high and low-risk cohabitants, in Loures and Odivelas, Portugal
Authors: Mateus Cunha I , Marques JL , Subtil IM , Bragança Pereira M , Gabriel C , Vieira C , Cordeiro C , Abreu Gomes F , Bastos L 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Effective contact tracing, vaccination, and isolation of cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection and their high-risk contacts constituted measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. In Portugal, in October 2021, low-risk cohabitants were lifted the obligation to isolate. The aim of this study was to estimate the relative risk of infection for close contacts, regarding the type of close contact and being cohabitants.

Methods
A descriptive longitudinal study, with an analytical component was performed. Sociodemographic and epidemiologic data from close contacts and confirmed cases in Loures and Odivelas, between October and November 2021, was collected from a regional database and from Trace COVID-19 platform. We performed a descriptive analysis and estimated the relative risk of SARS-CoV-2 positive test, stratified by type of contact and cohabitation, with 95% confidence level.

Results
We identified 200 confirmed cases and 428 people who were close contacts, corresponding to 502 different close contacts (59 people had contact with more than a case). From 502 close contacts, 268 were classified as low-risk and 230 as high-risk. Full time cohabitation was present in 310 of close contacts. Between contact tracing day and the next 4 weeks, 58 (10.9%) of close contacts tested positive. Risk of high-risk contacts testing positive was 2.7 [1.5-4.6], compared with low-risk contacts. Risk of cohabitants testing positive was 3.5 [1.6-7.7], compared with non-cohabitants. Risk of a high-risk cohabitant testing positive was 2.2 [1.1-4.4], compared with low-risk cohabitants. There was no higher risk of high-risk cohabitants testing positive compared with high-risk non-cohabitants. Same was true for low-risk cohabitants and non-cohabitants.

Conclusions
These results allow us to understand how to better stratify close contacts and apply isolation measures, according to the risk of testing positive. Further studies should be developed to assess the impact of other variables.

Key messages
• We identified an increased risk of testing positive in high-risk contacts, and in cohabitants.
• Cohabitants could be stratified regarding being high or low-risk, with different measures being applied.