COVID-19, a worldwide public health emergency? COVID-19, una emergencia de salud publica mundial
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Palacios Cruz M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7173827 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Introducción y objetivos La COVID-19 ha generado consecuencias negativas para la salud mental de las personas. Este es el caso del Perú, uno de los países latinoamericanos más afectados por la pandemia. En este sentido, el objetivo del estudio fue traducir y validar la Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) al español. Material y método Los participantes fueron 704 estudiantes universitarios de ciencias de la salud (Medad = 23.39 años, DE = 3.45) a quienes se les administró el CAS en español, el Mental Health Inventory-5 y el Patient Health Questionnaire-2 item. El CAS se tradujo al español mediante el método hacia adelante y hacia atrás. Se examinaron la fiabilidad y las evidencias de validez basada en la estructura interna y relación con otras variables. Resultados El análisis factorial confirmó la estructura factorial unidimensional del CAS (?2 = 7.62, gl = 5, p = .18, ?2/df = 1.52, CFI = .99, RMSEA = .03 [CI90% .00, .06]; SRMR = .02, WRMR = .52); además las cargas factoriales fueron grandes y significativas (de .68 a .87). Los cinco ítems del CAS mostraron correlaciones ítems test total corregido aceptables (de .64 a .74). La confiabilidad por consistencia interna fue buena (? = .89; ?ordinal = .89). La evidencia de validez con base en la relación con otras variables del CAS fue respaldada por la correlación positiva con la depresión (r = .52, p < .01) y negativa con el bienestar subjetivo (r = -.50, p < .01). Además, la depresión media la relación entre la ansiedad por la COVID-19 y el bienestar subjetivo (valor bootstrap = - .24, IC 95% = - .28, - .20). Conclusión La versión en español del CAS posee evidencias de validez y confiabilidad para medir la ansiedad por la COVID-19 en una muestra de universitarios peruanos.
| S-EPMC7522742 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC7291995 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) forced many eye care providers to implement telehealth services while in-person visits were reserved for essential and/or emergency eye care.ObjectiveThis study documents how an optometry group successfully implemented telehealth to care for patients during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.DesignRetrospective, comparative case series.MethodsRecords were reviewed for patients seen in an academic optometry clinic from 23 March through 7 April 2020, the period of the Massachusetts stay-at-home advisory issued in response to COVID-19. Patients who completed telehealth visits were compared with those who received in-person care. Services delivered by telehealth included a check of symptoms, medication refills, health education, and assurance of future follow up. The study took into account the reason for each visit, as well as the rate of scheduled and completed follow-up appointments. Patient satisfaction with in-person care was evaluated by Press Ganey patient experience surveys.ResultsOut of 855 patients scheduled, 421 patients completed telehealth encounters (49%), and 46 patients completed in-clinic visits (5.4%). A further 272 patients canceled appointments (32%), 123 patients were unable to be contacted (14%), and 8 patients declined care offered by telehealth (0.94%). Most patients who were cared for by telehealth returned to see optometrists (88%). By contrast, most patients who required in-person visits during this period were subsequently seen by ophthalmologists (58%, p < 0.001). Patient satisfaction remained high for in-person visits that took place during the COVID-19-related emergency, with improvements noted in patient satisfaction regarding 'information about delays' (47 % versus 100%, p = 0.007) and 'concern for questions or worries' (76% versus 100%, p = 0.037) compared with the same period 1 year prior.ConclusionOptometrists rapidly embraced telehealth to deliver eye care to their patients during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Most eye issues were able to be addressed through telehealth; urgent eye problems were triaged and referred to the optometry clinic, when appropriate.
| S-EPMC9527121 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Since 2013, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has offered the Public Health Emergency Management Fellowship to health professionals from around the world. The goal of this program is to build an international workforce to establish public health emergency management programs and operations centers in participating countries. In March 2021, all 141 graduates of the fellowship program were invited to complete a web survey designed to examine their job roles and functions, assess their contributions to their country's COVID-19 response, and identify needs for technical assistance to strengthen national preparedness and response systems. Of 141 fellows, 89 successfully completed the survey. Findings showed that fellowship graduates served key roles in COVID-19 response in many countries, used skills they gained from the fellowship, and desired continuing engagement between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and fellowship alumni to strengthen the community of practice for international public health emergency management.
| S-EPMC9745245 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ImportanceThe COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) caused substantial changes in hospital operations. The net effect of these changes on hospital financial performance is unclear.ObjectiveTo evaluate changes in hospital financial performance before and during the COVID-19 PHE.Design, setting, and participantsThis longitudinal within-hospital cohort analysis from 2017 to 2021 used national RAND hospital data merged with American Community Survey data. A total of 4223 short-term acute care or critical access hospitals in the US with financial data spanning 2017 to 2021 were evaluated.ExposureFinancial performance during the first 2 years of the PHE.Main outcomes and measuresThe main outcome was PHE financial distress calculated based on net operating income (operating revenue minus operating expenses). Within-hospital changes in net operating income over time were evaluated with and without COVID-19 relief funding. From henceforth, 2020/2021 means the weighted average financial performance for both calendar year 2020 and 2021. Hospitals were characterized as having new financial distress if (1) their average 2020/2021 net operating income was negative and (2) the average 2020/2021 net operating income was less than that hospital's pre-2020 net operating income. Predictors of new financial distress were evaluated using logistic regression and predictors of COVID-19 relief using 2-part models.ResultsIn this sample of 4423 hospitals, 3529 (80.0%) received PHE funds during 2020/2021. A total of 846 (19.1%) were located in a census tract with more than 20% Hispanic residents. Of the total number of hospitals, 720 (16.3%) of hospitals had PHE financial distress, whereas 2047 (46.3%) had PHE financial distress after excluding COVID-19 relief funding from net operating income. The majority of hospitals (n = 3337; 74.8%) had a positive net operating income across 2020/2021, with 785 (17.8%) hospitals moving from a negative pre-2020 to a positive 2020/2021 net operating income. In adjusted analyses, hospitals treating a higher proportion of Hispanic populations were more likely to have PHE distress (adjusted odds ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.6; P = .02). Median (IQR) operating margins from 2020/2021 were at an all-time high of 6.5% (0.2%-13.3%) compared with pre-2020 operating margins of 2.8% (-2.8% to 9.3%).Conclusions and relevanceIn this cohort study of US hospitals, the large majority had positive financial performance during 2020/2021, partly due to COVID-19 relief funds. However, hospitals serving Hispanic populations had substantially worsened financial performance during 2020/2021, even after accounting for COVID-19 relief. That COVID-19 relief funding aided in operating margins reaching all-time highs indicates funding amounts may have been larger than was necessary for many hospitals. With COVID-19 relief funding ending yet COVID-19 related continuing to affect hospital expenses, ongoing monitoring of hospital financial performance is vital to ensure patients retain access to care.
| S-EPMC10349333 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundSocial media platforms have long been recognised as major disseminators of health misinformation. Many previous studies have found a negative association between health-protective behaviours and belief in the specific form of misinformation popularly known as 'conspiracy theory'. Concerns have arisen regarding the spread of COVID-19 conspiracy theories on social media.MethodsThree questionnaire surveys of social media use, conspiracy beliefs and health-protective behaviours with regard to COVID-19 among UK residents were carried out online, one using a self-selecting sample (N = 949) and two using stratified random samples from a recruited panel (N = 2250, N = 2254).ResultsAll three studies found a negative relationship between COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs and COVID-19 health-protective behaviours, and a positive relationship between COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs and use of social media as a source of information about COVID-19. Studies 2 and 3 also found a negative relationship between COVID-19 health-protective behaviours and use of social media as a source of information, and Study 3 found a positive relationship between health-protective behaviours and use of broadcast media as a source of information.ConclusionsWhen used as an information source, unregulated social media may present a health risk that is partly but not wholly reducible to their role as disseminators of health-related conspiracy beliefs.
| S-EPMC7298098 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Telehealth utilization increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet few studies have documented associations of telehealth use with subsequent medical costs and health care utilization. We examined associations of telehealth use during the early COVID-19 public health emergency (March-June 2020) with subsequent total medical costs and health care utilization among people with heart disease (HD). We created a longitudinal cohort of individuals with HD using MarketScan Commercial Claims data (2018-2022). We used difference-in-differences methodology adjusting for patients' characteristics, comorbidities, COVID-19 infection status, and number of in-person visits. We found that using telehealth during the stay-at-home order period was associated with a reduction in total medical costs (by -$1814 per person), number of emergency department visits (by -88.6 per 1000 persons), and number of inpatient admissions (by -32.4 per 1000 persons). Telehealth use increased per-person per-year pharmacy prescription claims (by 0.514) and average number of days' drug supply (by 0.773 days). These associated benefits of telehealth use can inform decision makers, insurance companies, and health care professionals, especially in the context of disrupted health care access.
| S-EPMC10895996 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, social media became an important and easily accessible source of information to keep the population informed. In this study, we explored how Portuguese health entities used social media during the public health emergency caused by COVID-19 disease.MethodsA retrospective study on Portuguese public health entities' communication with the public using social media platforms was performed. Data were retrieved from Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. All retrieved posts were analyzed, and the engagement of the public was calculated. A thematic analysis of all COVID-19-related posts was conducted.ResultsThe analysis of each social media platform revealed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, health entities reinforced their presence on social media platforms. The most published posts were related to "epidemiological context" and "encouragement to take actions" to avoid the spread of COVID-19. High engagement frames were not associated with the most frequently published posts.ConclusionsAlthough health entities have reinforced their presence on social media platforms, they do not take full advantage of these platforms to improve health literacy.
| S-EPMC9564587 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ImportanceMedicaid coverage loss can substantially compromise access to and affordability of health care for dual-eligible beneficiaries. The extent to which this population lost Medicaid coverage before and during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) and the characteristics of beneficiaries more at risk for coverage loss are currently not well known.ObjectiveTo assess the loss of Medicaid coverage among dual-eligible beneficiaries before and during the first year of the PHE, and to examine beneficiary-level and plan-level factors associated with heightened likelihood of losing Medicaid.Design, setting, and participantsThis repeated cross-sectional study used national Medicare data to estimate annual rates of Medicaid loss among dual-eligible beneficiaries before (2015 to 2019) and during the PHE (2020). Individuals who were dual eligible for Medicare and Medicaid at the beginning of a given year and who continuously received low-income subsidies for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage were included in the sample. Multivariable regression models were used to examine beneficiary-level and plan-level factors associated with Medicaid loss. Data analyses were conducted between March 2023 and October 2023.ExposureOnset of PHE.Main outcomes and measuresLoss of Medicaid for at least 1 month within a year.ResultsSample included 56 172 736 dual-eligible beneficiary-years between 2015 and 2020. In 2020, most dual-eligible beneficiaries were aged over 65 years (5 984 420 [61.1%]), female (5 868 866 [59.9%]), non-Hispanic White (4 928 035 [50.3%]), full-benefit eligible (6 837 815 [69.8%]), and enrolled in traditional Medicare (5 343 537 [54.6%]). The adjusted proportion of dual-eligible beneficiaries losing Medicaid for at least 1 month increased from 6.6% in 2015 to 7.3% in 2019 and then dropped to 2.3% in 2020. Between 2015 and 2019, dual-eligible beneficiaries who were older (ages 55-64 years: -1.4%; 95% CI, -1.8% to -1.0%; ages 65-74 years: -2.0%; 95% CI, -2.5% to -1.5%; ages 75 and older: -4.5%; 95% CI, -5.0% to -4.0%), disabled (-0.8%; 95% CI, -1.1% to -0.6%), and in integrated care programs were less likely to lose Medicaid. In 2020, the disparities within each of these demographic groups narrowed significantly. Notably, while Black (0.6%; 95% CI, 0.2% to 0.9%) and Hispanic (0.7%; 95% CI, 0.3% to 1.2%) dual-eligible beneficiaries were more likely to lose Medicaid than their non-Hispanic White counterparts between 2015 and 2019, such gap was eliminated for Black beneficiaries and narrowed for Hispanic beneficiaries in 2020.Conclusions and relevanceDuring the PHE, Medicaid coverage loss declined significantly among dual-eligible beneficiaries, and disparities were mitigated across subgroups. As the PHE unwinds, it is crucial for policymakers to implement strategies to minimize Medicaid coverage disruptions and racial and ethnic disparities, especially given that loss of Medicaid was slightly increasing over time before the PHE.
| S-EPMC11009828 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Objective Vaccination is one of the most important measures that the world is relying on to end the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of vaccines have been authorized; however, there are several differences in the available vaccines which may lead to differences in public hesitancy levels toward each vaccine. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the young Jordanian population's acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine, their knowledge, and attitudes toward different vaccine types, and to explore the variables that could influence their preferences. Material and methods An online questionnaire was distributed via Jordanian multipurpose Facebook groups. COVID-19 knowledge, and practice scores were calculated, in addition to general and specific COVID-19 vaccine knowledge scores. Repeated measures analysis was conducted to investigate the association between the participants’ knowledge about each vaccine and their willingness to take it. Quantile regressions were conducted to determine the predictors of the participants’ willingness to take each vaccine. Results A total of 1897 participants completed the survey. One fifth of the participants (19.9%) were willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The acceptance of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and the knowledge about it were significantly different from all the other vaccines. Predictors of acceptance of the different vaccines were sex, estimation of the severity of the disease, COVID-19 knowledge score, practice score, and specific vaccine knowledge score. Conclusion The young Jordanian adults had limited acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Differences in the participants’ acceptance of different vaccines were observed and specific vaccine knowledge was a significant predictor of acceptance of the vaccine.
| S-EPMC9472592 | biostudies-literature