Food security amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Central Asia:Evidence from rural Tajikistan

Food security has been long understudied in the context of Central Asia.We present an analysis examining household-level food demand for Tajikistan and assessing the magnitude of its food security changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.Based on an extensive household survey data set from Tajikistan,we estimate the expenditure,income,and price elasticities for nine food categories using the QUAIDS model.Then,we develop a microsimulation model using the estimated elasticities to assess the dual impact of declining remittance income and rising food prices stemming from the pandemic shock.There are significant differences in demand elasticities across food groups,with high elasticities observed for nutritious foods,such as meat,fruit,eggs,and milk,in rural households.Moreover,our findings show that changes in remittance income and food prices significantly negatively affected food security for rural households during the COVID-19 pandemic.These findings have important implications for policymakers concerned about rural livelihoods and food security in remittance-receiving economies during the post-pandemic period.

A Comparative Study of Myocardial Damage Caused by Novel Coronavirus Infection and Influenza A Virus Infection in Children during the COVID-19 Epidemic Period

Objective: To explore the comparative study of myocardial damage in children infected with COVID-19 and influenza A virus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Retrospective analysis of myocardial injury caused by COVID-19 infection and influenza A virus infection in children during the COVID-19 from October 2022 to May 2023, including 106 cases of COVID-19 infection, that is, the COVID-19 group;And 164 cases of influenza A virus infection, namely, H1N1 group;Two groups were tested for various indicators of myocardial enzyme spectrum, and the situation of myocardial injury was compared between the two groups. Result: In the enrolled cases, there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence rate of men and women in the COVID-19 group (P > 0.05);There was no statistically significant difference in the average age between men and women (P > 0.05);The comparison of the incidence rates between males and females in the H1N1 group showed a statistically significant difference (P 0.05);There was no statistically significant difference in the average age between the two groups of girls (P > 0.05). A comparison between two groups of various indicators of myocardial enzyme spectra showed that the results of AST, -HBDH and LDH were statistically significant (P 0.05). Conclusion: Both COVID-19 infection and influenza A virus infection in children have different degrees of myocardial damage, but COVID-19 infection causes more myocardial damage than influenza A virus infection, and influenza A virus is more prone to myocardial infarction, which deserves our attention.

The COVID-19 Pandemic: Present or Gone, Where Do Adolescents Stand?

Introduction: The initial global response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic focused on adults as adolescents mainly had subclinical infections. Adolescents, however, could transmit the virus and hence be a risk to the elderly, young children and immunocompromised. Adolescents are also at risk of long-term complications. This study sought to determine the prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among adolescents in Southern Nigeria, and to determine the association between SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and age, gender, socioeconomic class, school type and nutritional status. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Edo state of southern Nigeria. We recruited 270 in-school adolescents aged 10 - 19 years. A WHO-adapted, pre-tested questionnaire was used to obtain data on participant history and risk factors. The questionnaire was interviewer-administered. Adolescents whose parents gave consent were recruited through a multi-stage randomized sampling method. Capillary blood for the assay was collected and analysed using a lateral-flow immunoassay device. The primary outcome was serostatus of the study. The positive predictors of serostatus were finally determined using a multiple logistics regression model. Statistical significance was set at p Results: The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was 45.9%. IgM antibodies were found in 5.6% of participants. Older adolescents had higher seropositivity rates than younger adolescents (2 = 8.101, p = 0.017). There was no association between gender and seropositivity. Adolescents in public schools were more likely to be seropositive than those in private schools (2 = 25.242, p = 0.001). A higher seroprevalence was noticed among study participants in the lower socioeconomic class (x2 = 6.928, p = 0.031), and those in overcrowded classes. (2 = 79.303, p = 0.001). Conclusion: This study showed a high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among in-school adolescents. Behavioural change communication on SARS-CoV-2, vaccination of adolescents, and standardization of classrooms are recommended.

Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Depression and Anxiety among Pregnant Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted perinatal women’s mental health. However, protective factors associated with depression among pregnant Japanese women during the pandemic have not been reported. Purpose: The present study investigated the risk and protective factors associated with depression and anxiety among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online questionnaire was administered to 157 pregnant women between October 2022 and May 2023 at two general hospitals in Japan. The Japanese versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) were used to assess symptoms of depression and anxiety. The χ2 test or Fisher’s exact test and multivariate logistic regression model were used to examine factors associated with depression and anxiety among pregnant women. Results: Overall, 47.1% and 35.7% of the pregnant women reported depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. A “history of mental illness” was a risk factor for depression and anxiety among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, unmarried status was a risk factor for anxiety among pregnant women, whereas outdoor and indoor exercises were protective factors against depression and anxiety, respectively. Conclusions: Exercise may have protected pregnant women from depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Encouraging exercise may help maintain the mental health of pregnant women who do not have exercise restrictions.

The relationship between compartment models and their stochastic counterparts:A comparative study with examples of the COVID-19 epidemic modeling

Deterministic compartment models(CMs)and stochastic models,including stochastic CMs and agent-based models,are widely utilized in epidemic modeling.However,the relationship between CMs and their corresponding stochastic models is not well understood.The present study aimed to address this gap by conducting a comparative study using the susceptible,exposed,infectious,and recovered(SEIR)model and its extended CMs from the coronavirus disease 2019 modeling literature.We demonstrated the equivalence of the numerical solution of CMs using the Euler scheme and their stochastic counterparts through theoretical analysis and simulations.Based on this equivalence,we proposed an efficient model calibration method that could replicate the exact solution of CMs in the corresponding stochastic models through parameter adjustment.The advancement in calibration techniques enhanced the accuracy of stochastic modeling in capturing the dynamics of epidemics.However,it should be noted that discrete-time stochastic models cannot perfectly reproduce the exact solution of continuous-time CMs.Additionally,we proposed a new stochastic compartment and agent mixed model as an alternative to agent-based models for large-scale population simulations with a limited number of agents.This model offered a balance between computational efficiency and accuracy.The results of this research contributed to the comparison and unification of deterministic CMs and stochastic models in epidemic modeling.Furthermore,the results had implications for the development of hybrid models that integrated the strengths of both frameworks.Overall,the present study has provided valuable epidemic modeling techniques and their practical applications for understanding and controlling the spread of infectious diseases.

Practice of Infection Prevention and Control Strategies in Risk Departments during the COVID-19 Epidemic

Objective: To explore the practice and application of infection prevention and control strategies in risk departments during the COVID-19 epidemic, and to formulate the infection prevention and control measures to provide advice and guidance in risk departments. Methods: According to the latest plan of diagnosis and treatment, prevention and control issued by the National Health Commission, expert advice and consensus, combined with the actual situation in our hospital, a series of infection prevention and control measures of COVID-19 in risk department was formulated. Results: During the epidemic period, the prevention and control measures of nine risk departments including emergency operation, anesthesiology, endoscopy center, blood purification center, otolaryngology, stomatology, medical imaging department, medical cosmetology department and pulmonary function room were established from six aspects, including pre-examination and screening, medical technology control, personnel management, personal protection, environmental disinfection, medical waste disposal, etc. Conclusion: During the epidemic period, the infection prevention and control strategy of risk departments is one of the key links to control the spread of the epidemic, and risk departments must pay attention to and strictly implement various infection prevention and control measures.

Delay Times and Clinical Outcomes in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Comparison of Periods before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Myocardial Infarction and the Pandemic

Introduction: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a drop in the number of patients treated for cardiac emergencies raised concern about cardiovascular mortality in that period. An increase in care delay for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may have affected clinical outcomes. Objectives: To analyze delay times and clinical outcomes of patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Retrospective observational study that included patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI from December 2018 to July 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic cases were divided into two groups: pandemic I—from March to August 2020;and pandemic II—from September 2020 to July 2021. Patients were compared according to the period of hospitalization. Primary outcomes were delay times in assistance and clinical outcomes (acute kidney injury [AKI], post-procedural vascular complications and in-hospital mortality). Results: 108 patients were included, 39 (36.1%) in the pre-pandemic period, 13 (12.1%) in pandemic I and 56 (51.8%) in pandemic II. Time from onset of symptoms to arrival at the service and door-to-balloon time did not differ significantly among groups. Vascular complications were more frequent during the pandemic (I and II) than in the pre-pandemic period (2.5% pre-pandemic vs 15.4% pandemic vs 12.5% pandemic II;p = 0.03). AKI incidence was similar in all three periods. There was a non-significant increase in in-hospital mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: In patients with STEMI, there was an increase in vascular complications and a trend toward increased mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Delay times to admission and reperfusion did not differ significantly between before and during the pandemic.

Excess non-COVID-19-related mortality among inflammatory bowel disease decedents during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic disrupted healthcare in the United States.AIM To investigate COVID-19-related and non-COVID-19-related death and characteristics associated with excess death among inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)decedents.METHODS We performed a register-based study using data from the National Vital Statistics System,which reports death data from over 99%of the United States population,from January 1,2006 through December 31,2021.IBD-related deaths among adults 25 years and older were stratified by age,sex,race/ethnicity,place of death,and primary cause of death.Predicted and actual age-standardized mortality rates(ASMRs)per 100000 persons were compared.RESULTS 49782 IBD-related deaths occurred during the study period.Non-COVID-19-related deaths increased by 13.14%in 2020 and 18.12%in 2021[2020 ASMR:1.55 actual vs 1.37 predicted,95%confidence interval(CI):1.26-1.49;2021 ASMR:1.63 actual vs 1.38 predicted,95%CI:1.26-1.49].In 2020,non-COVID-19-related mortality increased by 17.65%in ulcerative colitis(UC)patients between the ages of 25 and 65 and 36.36%in non-Hispanic black(NHB)Crohn’s disease(CD)patients.During the pandemic,deaths at home or on arrival and at medical facilities as well as deaths due to neoplasms also increased.CONCLUSION IBD patients suffered excess non-COVID-19-related death during the pandemic.Excess death was associated with younger age among UC patients,and with NHB race among CD patients.Increased death at home or on arrival and due to neoplasms suggests that delayed presentation and difficulty accessing healthcare may have led to increased IBD mortality.

Increased alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic:A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has significantly impacted health,mental well-being,and societal functioning,particularly for individuals with psychiatric conditions and substance use disorders.Recent evidence highlights a concerning increase in alcohol consumption during the pandemic,with a study spanning 2015-2020 indicating heightened usage,especially among young and middle-aged adults,for relaxation and tension relief.Additionally,addressing challenges exacerbated by the pandemic,another study underscored persistent barriers to healthcare access,resulting in increased alcohol and tobacco use rates and limited healthcare options.These findings shed light on the unique vulnerabilities exposed by the pandemic,emphasizing the need to investigate further its impact on alcohol consumption in diverse non-urban American communities.AIM To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol abuse using socioeconomic and medical parameters in diverse non-urban community in America.METHODS Based on a cross-sectional analysis of 416 participants the United States in 2021,the study utilized The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fifth Edition criteria to categorize alcohol consumption levels.Participants aged 21 years and above were surveyed through an online platform due to COVID-19 challenges.The survey was conducted from January 14 to January 31,2022,recruiting participants via social media and ensuring anonymity.Informed consent was secured,emphasizing the voluntary nature of participation,and participants could only take the survey once.RESULTS Out of 416 survey respondents,396 met eligibility criteria,with 62.9%reporting increased alcohol consumption during COVID-19.Males(68.8%)and ages 21-29 years(34.6%)predominated.Low alcohol consumption decreased by 2.8%(P=0.237),moderate by 21.4%(P<0.001),and heavy increased by 14.9%(P<0.001).Alcohol abuse rose by 6.5%(P=0.0439),with a 7%increase in self-identified alcohol abusers/alcoholics.Seeking treatment during COVID-19 rose by 6.9%.Easier alcohol access(76.0%)was reported,while 80.7%found it harder to access medical care for alcohol-related issues.These findings highlight the pandemic's impact on alcohol consumption and healthcare access,emphasizing the need for targeted interventions during public health crises.CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated alcoholism and abuse,with increased heavy consumption(P<0.001)and abuse(P=0.0439).Access to medical programs for addressing alcohol abuse declined,highlighting the need for targeted intervention.

Relationships among Sedentary Time,Electronic Product Addiction,and Depression in Adolescents during the COVID-19 Epidemic:A Cross-Lagged Study

Objective:This study was conducted to explore the relationships among sedentary behavior(SB),electronic product addiction(EPA),and depression(D)in adolescents during the COVID-19 epidemic.Methods:A total of 604 adolescents(including 309 girls and 295 boys aged 12-18)were selected from Qufu City,Shandong Province,China for three rounds of investigation.The model was constructed using AMOS 23.0 software,and cross-lagged analysis was conducted.Results:SB at T1 can significantly positively predict SB and EPA at T2(p<0.05).EPA at T1 can significantly positively predict SB and D at T2(p<0.05).Physical activity level and SB at T2 can significantly predict SB and EPA at T3(p<0.05).EPA at T2 can significantly predict SB,EPA,and D at T3(p<0.05).Conclusions:SB and EPA are predictive factors for D.Moreover,SB can significantly positively predict D and indirectly predict D through the mediating effect of EPA.

Mental health and insomnia problems in healthcare workers after the COVID-19 pandemic:A multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Healthcare workers(HCWs)are at increased risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)as well as worsening mental health problems and insomnia.These problems can persist for a long period,even after the pandemic.However,less is known about this topic.AIM To analyze mental health,insomnia problems,and their influencing factors in HCWs after the COVID-19 pandemic.METHODS This multicenter cross-sectional,hospital-based study was conducted from June 1,2023 to June 30,2023,which was a half-year after the end of the COVID-19 emergency.Region-stratified population-based cluster sampling was applied at the provincial level for Chinese HCWs.Symptoms such as anxiety,depression,and insomnia were evaluated by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7,Patient Health Questionnaire-9,and Insomnia Severity Index.Factors influencing the symptoms were identified by multivariable logistic regression.RESULTS A total of 2000 participants were invited,for a response rate of 70.6%.A total of 1412 HCWs[618(43.8%)doctors,583(41.3%)nurses and 211(14.9%)nonfrontline],254(18.0%),231(16.4%),and 289(20.5%)had symptoms of anxiety,depression,and insomnia,respectively;severe symptoms were found in 58(4.1%),49(3.5%),and 111(7.9%)of the participants.Nurses,female sex,and hospitalization for COVID-19 were risk factors for anxiety,depression,and insomnia symptoms;moreover,death from family or friends was a risk factor for insomnia symptoms.During the COVID-19 outbreak,most[1086(76.9%)]of the participating HCWs received psychological interventions,while nearly all[994(70.4%)]of them had received public psychological education.Only 102(7.2%)of the HCWs received individual counseling from COVID-19.CONCLUSION Although the mental health and sleep problems of HCWs were relieved after the COVID-19 pandemic,they still faced challenges and greater risks than did the general population.Identifying risk factors would help in providing targeted interventions.In addition,although a major proportion of HCWs have received public psychological education,individual interventions are still insufficient.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Patients: Experience of the medical oncology department of CHU HASSAN II Fez.

Introduction: In December 2019, COVID 19 spread worldwide, but did not officially start in MOROCCO until March 02, 2020. Since then, this pandemic has significantly impacted the health status of patients in general and cancer patients in particular. The main objective of our study is to evaluate the prognosis of patients treated for cancer and infected with COVID-19. Material and method: A descriptive study with prospective collection was carried out at the medical oncology department of CHU Hassan II in FEZ over a period of two years, from March 2020 to March 2022. Data was carried out on the software SPSS. Results: One hundred cancer patients tested positive for COVID-19 infection and were collected within our department. The average age was 56 years [22-91]. The sex ratio was 1.2. Patients with breast cancer were the most affected by this infection (34%). The clinical symptomatology was dominated by the respiratory syndrome (45%).The diagnosis was made through thoracic CT scan in 62% of cases. 76% of patients were in a metastatic stage. 96% of patients were undergoing oncological treatment. For symptomatique patients, the standard treatment approach involved using antibiotics in 76% of cases. Evolution was marked by recovery in 79% of patients, with a death rate of 12% in this cancer patient population. Conclusion: COVID-19 infection is particularly severe in cancer patients. Mortality among these patients remains high and is associated with overall patient characteristics. However, anticancer treatments have not shown deleterious effects on the course of COVID-19.

Analysis of the COVID-19, Outbreak in Brazil Using Topological Weighted Centroid: An Intelligent Geographic Information System Approach

This study used Topological Weighted Centroid (TWC) to analyze the Coronavirus outbreak in Brazil. This analysis only uses latitude and longitude in formation of the capitals with the confirmed cases on May 24, 2020 to illustrate the usefulness of TWC though any date could have been used. There are three types of TWC analyses, each type having five associated algorithms that produce fifteen maps, TWC-Original, TWC-Frequency and TWC-Windowing. We focus on TWC-Original to illustrate our approach. The TWC method without using the transportation information predicts the network for COVID-19 outbreak that matches very well with the main radial transportation routes network in Brazil.

Nursing student volunteers and their level of involvement during the COVID-19 pandemic:a systematic review

Objective:Many strategic efforts were made to address nurses'shortage in controlling Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),including recruiting student health volunteers.This review aimed to explore the contribution and involvement of nursing student volunteers during COVID-19.Methods:A systematic review was registered in PROSPERO International CRD42021283069.Electronic databases for ar ticle search included:SCOPUS,EBSCO MEDLINE,Pub Med,Pro Quest,Springer,Sage Pub,and hand searching.The critical appraisal study quality using The Joanna Briggs Institutes.Data extraction and synthesis used Population,Intervention,Comparison,Outcome,and Design(PICO and D)framework with thematic analysis.Results:Twelve studies were enrolled from 2545 retrieved,with 4 synthesized themes:(1)determinant of the involvement of nursing student volunteers during COVID-19,which includes 3 subthemes:motivations,perception,and barriers,(2)expectations and actual condition of nursing students as volunteers,(3)the need for nursing student volunteers,and(4)the impact and level of student volunteers'contribution.All student volunteers contribute to providing direct or indirect services to patients.Conclusions:This review provides an overview of nursing student volunteers'needs useful in developing competency frameworks and the role of culturally sensitive volunteers in education and training.In the future,student volunteers could choose the appropriate volunteer program and location according to their competence.

A Study on the Influences of the COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Treatment-Crisis on Quality of Life in Cancer Patients - A Secondary Publication

Objective:To investigate the factors affecting the quality of life of cancer patients by examining the degree of the COVID-19 pandemic-related depression,anxiety,stress,and treatment crisis.Methods:Data were collected from 132 cancer patients undergoing surgery,chemotherapy,radiotherapy,and hormone therapy at K University Hospital in D City using a structured questionnaire.The period of data collection was from May 6 to May 28,2022.The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics,t-test,ANOVA,Pearson’s correlation,and stepwise multiple regression.Results:The mean scores of quality-of-life,depression,anxiety,stress,and treatment crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic were 84.64±29.09,15.14±6.49,4.66±5.27,75.83±17.70,and 78.52±19.95,respectively.In terms of factors affecting the quality of life related to the COVID-19 pandemic,COVID-19 pandemic-related stress(β=0.41,P<0.001)appeared to have the greatest impact,followed by COVID-19 pandemic-related treatment-crisis(β=0.28,P=0.002),anxiety(β=0.21,P=0.002),and gender(β=0.14,P=0.009),with a total explanatory power of 67.6%.Conclusion:To improve the quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic,COVID-19 pandemic-related stress,treatment-crisis,and anxiety should be periodically monitored and nursing interventions such as education on infection prevention,management,and emotional support programs should be provided to decrease the COVID-19 pandemic-related stress,treatment-crisis,and anxiety.

Stress perceptions of nurses serving in home healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic:A qualitative research

Objective:To investigate the stress perceptions of nurses serving in home healthcare services during COVID-19.Methods:This study was qualitative research with a phenomenological design.Data were collected and recorded through in-depth interviews with 6 nurses working in MuşState Hospital,Home Healthcare Services Unit using a form consisting of 12 questions on an online platform between May 2021 and July 2021.The audio recordings were transcribed by the researcher and content analysis was performed by creating codes,categories,and themes.Results:The interviews yielded 10 categories and 59 sub-codes.These codes were addressed under the theme of"COVID-19 pandemic".Under this main theme,nurses expressed the problems they experienced in issues such as stress,support mechanisms,and family and social problems during COVID-19.They mentioned that they experienced high stress in this process,as well as social isolation and negative thoughts of society about them and that they could not spare time for themselves and their families.Conclusions:Nurses working in home healthcare services frequently express negativities such as high stress,isolation from society,and increased workload.Therefore,actions should be taken to raise awareness of society on these issues,increase the number of personnel,conduct more research,and share the results with the public.

Relationship between depression,smartphone addiction,and sleep among Chinese engineering students during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND Existing research has demonstrated that depression is positively related to smartphone addiction, but the role of sleep has not been discussed thoroughly, especially among engineering undergraduates affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.AIM To evaluate sleep as a mediator of the association between smartphone addiction and depression among engineering undergraduates.METHODS Using a multistage stratified random sampling method, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 692 engineering undergraduates from a top engineering university in China, and data were collected by self-reported electronic questionnaires. The data included demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version(SAS-SV), the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the association between smartphone addiction and depression, while structural equation models were established to evaluate the possible mediating role of sleep.RESULTS Based on the cutoffs of the SAS-SV, the rate of smartphone addiction was 63.58 percent, with 56.21 percent for women and 65.68 percent for men, among 692 engineering students. The prevalence of depression among students was 14.16 percent, with 17.65 percent for women, and 13.18 percent for men. Smartphone addiction was positively correlated with depression, and sleep played a significant mediating effect between the two, accounting for 42.22 percent of the total effect. In addition, sleep latency, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction significantly mediated the relationship between depression and smartphone addiction. The mediating effect of sleep latency was 0.014 [P < 0.01;95% confidence interval(CI): 0.006-0.027], the mediating effect of sleep disturbances was 0.022(P < 0.01;95%CI: 0.011-0.040), and the mediating effect of daytime dysfunction was 0.040(P < 0.01;95%CI: 0.024-0.059). The influence of sleep latency, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction accounted for 18.42%, 28.95%, and 52.63% of the total mediating effect, respectively.CONCLUSION The results of the study suggest that reducing excessive smartphone use and improving sleep quality can help alleviate depression.

Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Childcare during the COVID-19 Pandemic for Parents Raising a 4-Month-Old Child

This study examined the situation of raising a four-month-old baby after pregnancy and childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic. A fact-finding survey was conducted using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire for mothers and their husbands (hereinafter referred to as fathers) who came to A City, Osaka Prefecture, for health checkups of their four-month-old infants. The questionnaire was distributed to 733 mothers (252 responses). Valid responses were received from 247 participants (33.7%). The questionnaire was distributed to 733 fathers (191 responses). Valid responses were received from 184 participants (25.1%). Most participants belonged to nuclear family households. Sixty percent parents were primiparous. More than 90% parents did not participate in online parenting classes or attend childbirth. In addition, more than 80% mothers did not participate in face-to-face or online maternity classes, postpartum face-to-face visits from grandparents in the hospital, online home visits, telephone conversations, or support from non-relatives. Parents could not obtain information about childcare due to COVID-19. There were restrictions on prenatal checkups, visits, and use of facilities. Most of them resolved these problems via social media platforms, cooperating and communicating with their respective partners and relatives, and devising ways to play with their child. Health of nearly 30% mothers was affected by childcare stress and the pandemic, and they were either depressed or despondent. Approximately 70% experienced positive changes in family relationships and mindsets, such as time spent with family and cooperation received in childcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, parents coped with various changes and problems they experienced during pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare by devising solutions based on their personal perspectives.

Children and Workers Well-Being in Belgian French-Speaking Primary Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number of measures were taken worldwide to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and in many ways, changed human life. All these measures had harmful consequences and impacted the well-being of many people. Children were one of the most vulnerable groups. We conducted the present study to assess children’s and staff’s well-being in French-speaking primary schools in Belgium during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A 37-question questionnaire for each child based on the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and a 14-question questionnaire for each staff based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale was undertaken in order to assess the well-being. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to assess the relationship between RCMAS or HAD and other explanatory variables. Staff reported their perception of their current life and their future life in 5 years on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: A total of 231 children and 221 staff in 11 primary schools answered the well-being questionnaire between January and May 2021. 53% (122/231) of children had symptoms of anxiety. Girls reported more anxiety symptoms than boys (≥10: 59%;Adj OR = 2.25;95% CI [1.28;4.03]). 52% (120/231) of children had a definite state of social desirability. According to age, the youngest (6 - 7 years) children were more likely to have social desirability (≥5: 71%;Adj OR = 3.44;95% CI [1.53;8.09]) compared to the oldest (10 - 12 years). Children who did not practice outdoor/street activities were more likely to have social desirability (≥5: 60%;Adj OR = 2.59;95% CI [1.38;4.99]). In schools with a higher local incidence of SARS-CoV-2, children were more likely to have social desirability (≥5: 64%;Adj OR = 2.15;95% CI [1.13;4.17]). In schools with a lower socioeconomic status, children were more likely to have social desirability (≥5: 72%;Adj OR = 2.74;95% CI [1.23;6.37]). Higher RCMAS anxiety (r = −0.18;p −0.23;p −0.20;p Conclusion: Our results showed that the well-being of children was impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Special attention must be focused on the most vulnerable groups, as the consequences can be catastrophic in the long term.

Review of the Depression Rate among Pregnant Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose: To determine the incidence of depression among pregnant women during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A literature search was conducted on July 2022 through PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, CiNii, and the Japan Medical Abstract Society using the keywords “COVID-19”, “Pregnant Women” and “Depression”. The titles/abstracts were screened based on three selection criteria: 1) inclusion of pregnant women;2) description of depression;3) description of COVID-19. Results: Of the 213 articles that were extracted, 104 were excluded owing to duplication and 14 were excluded because they comprised other article types, including reviews and commentaries. Finally, 49 were excluded by title, abstract, and full-text screening. Among the 46 articles that met the inclusion criteria, 13 articles (28.3%) were from China, 8 (17.4%) were from Turkey, 4 (8.7%) were from the United States, and 3 (6.5%) were from Japan. The most common scales used to measure depression were the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) used in 18 articles (39.1%), followed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) used in 11 articles (23.9%). Furthermore, 46 sources reported a suspected depression rate of 30.0% (20,338/67,860 pregnant women). The rate of depression was 15.1% - 33.5% using EPDS ≥ 9 in three articles and 12.0% - 43.2% using EPDS ≥ 13 in nine articles. The five articles using PHQ-9 ≥ 5 reported 25.8% - 48.7%, and seven articles reported 5.3% - 59.2% using PHQ-9 ≥ 10. Conclusion: Depression was a concern for one out of every three to four pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. This suggests that depression among pregnant women during COVID-19 might have worsened, highlighting the need for mental health support for them.