Reduction of childhood trauma during the COVID-19 Level 4 lockdown in New Zealand.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Hamill JK
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7323325 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:IntroductionNew Zealand's response to the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the most restrictive lockdowns of any country, inevitably causing stress for many people. Because situations that increase stress and anxiety are associated with higher smoking prevalence, we examined self-reported smoking before and during the lockdown, and analyzed factors associated with reported changes in cigarette consumption.Aims and methodsWe conducted an online panel survey of a demographically representative sample of 2010 adult New Zealanders during the COVID-19 lockdown; the final, weighted sample included 261 daily smokers and 71 weekly smokers. We measured psychological distress and anxiety, as well as situational factors, tobacco consumption, and demographic attributes.ResultsNearly half of daily smokers reported smoking more during than before the lockdown, on average, an increase of six cigarettes a day; increased daily cigarette consumption was associated with loneliness and isolation. Most weekly smokers reported either that their smoking during the lockdown had not changed or had slightly reduced.ConclusionsSmoking cessation services need to anticipate that unexpected disruptions, such as pandemic lockdowns, may be associated with increased daily tobacco consumption, and that this increase may be sustained after lockdown. While public health responses to pandemics predictably focus on immediate and obvious consequences, interventions to support recent quitters and those making quit attempts should also form a key component of pandemic planning.ImplicationsAs governments introduce unprecedented measures to manage COVID-19, they need also to consider other public health risks, such as increased smoking among current smokers or relapse among recent quitters. Evidence that loneliness was associated with increased smoking during a lockdown suggests a need for cessation out-reach strategies that promote and support smoke-free practices.
| S-EPMC7928623 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption, distress, and loss of life around the world. While negative health, economic, and social consequences are being extensively studied, there has been less research on the resilience and post-traumatic growth that people show in the face of adversity. We investigated New Zealanders' experiences of benefit-finding during the COVID-19 pandemic and analysed qualitative responses to a survey examining mental well-being during the New Zealand lockdown. A total of 1175 of 2010 eligible participants responded to an open-ended question probing 'silver linings' (i.e., positive aspects) they may have experienced during this period. We analysed these qualitative responses using a thematic analysis approach. Two thirds of participants identified silver linings from the lockdown and we developed two overarching themes: Surviving (coping well, meeting basic needs, and maintaining health) and thriving (self-development, reflection, and growth). Assessing positive as well as negative consequences of the pandemic provides more nuanced insights into the impact that New Zealand's response had on mental well-being.
| S-EPMC8016296 | biostudies-literature
Project description:To assess changes in presentations to EDs during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in the Southern Region of New Zealand. We conducted a retrospective audit of patients attending EDs in the Southern District Health Board (SDHB), from 1 March to 13 May 2020. We made comparisons with attendances during the same period in 2019. The 2020 study period included 'pre-lockdown' (1 March-25 March), 'level 4 (strict) lockdown' (26 March-27 April) and 'level 3 (eased) lockdown' (28 April-13 May). Patient volumes reduced in all SDHB EDs during levels 4 and 3, mostly representing a loss of low acuity patients (Australasian Triage Scale 3, 4 and 5), although high-acuity presentations also declined. Average patient age increased by 5 years; however, the proportions of sexes and ethnicities did not change. Presentations of cerebrovascular accidents and appendicitis did not change significantly. Trauma, mental health, acute coronary syndrome and infectious respiratory presentations decreased significantly during level 4, and infectious respiratory presentations decreased further in level 3. Within the SDHB, patient volumes reduced during levels 4 and 3 of our lockdown, with reduced low-acuity presentations. High-acuity patient numbers also declined. Trauma, mental health, alcohol-related, infectious respiratory and acute coronary syndrome presentations declined while cerebrovascular accident and appendicitis numbers showed little to no change.
| S-EPMC8013615 | biostudies-literature
Project description:In 2020, in the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Aotearoa New Zealand consistently maintained stringent public health measures including stay-at-home lockdowns and distancing responses. Considering the widespread disruption to social functioning caused by the pandemic, this paper aimed to explore environmental and social factors that influenced the wellbeing of individuals during the first lockdown in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our mixed-methods study involved a survey (n = 1010) and semi-structured interviews of a subset of surveyed individuals undertaken at the tail end of the first 2020 lockdown. Survey participants were recruited through social media-driven snowball sampling, less than 50% were aged under 45 years and 85% identified as female. Of those interviewed, 63% identified as female. Qualitative interview findings and open-ended survey results were analysed thematically. Participants described a variety of factors influencing wellbeing, largely related to the community and household; physical, behavioural, and lifestyle factors; access to health services; and social and economic foundations. While much of the focus of COVID-19 recovery was on reversing the economic and physical toll of the pandemic, our findings emphasise the need to empower individuals, families, and communities to mitigate the pandemic's negative implications on wellbeing.
| S-EPMC8871666 | biostudies-literature
Project description:New Zealand's early response to the novel coronavirus pandemic included a strict lockdown which eliminated community transmission of COVID-19. However, this success was not without cost, both economic and social. In our study, we examined the psychological wellbeing of New Zealanders during the COVID-19 lockdown when restrictions reduced social contact, limited recreation opportunities, and resulted in job losses and financial insecurity. We conducted an online panel survey of a demographically representative sample of 2010 adult New Zealanders in April 2020. The survey contained three standardised measures-the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), the GAD-7, and the Well-Being Index (WHO-5)-as well as questions designed specifically to measure family violence, suicidal ideation, and alcohol consumption. It also included items assessing positive aspects of the lockdown. Thirty percent of respondents reported moderate to severe psychological distress (K10), 16% moderate to high levels of anxiety, and 39% low wellbeing; well above baseline measures. Poorer outcomes were seen among young people and those who had lost jobs or had less work, those with poor health status, and who had past diagnoses of mental illness. Suicidal ideation was reported by 6%, with 2% reporting making plans for suicide and 2% reporting suicide attempts. Suicidality was highest in those aged 18-34. Just under 10% of participants had directly experienced some form of family harm over the lockdown period. However, not all consequences of the lockdown were negative, with 62% reporting 'silver linings', which included enjoying working from home, spending more time with family, and a quieter, less polluted environment. New Zealand's lockdown successfully eliminated COVID-19 from the community, but our results show this achievement brought a significant psychological toll. Although much of the debate about lockdown measures has focused on their economic effects, our findings emphasise the need to pay equal attention to their effects on psychological wellbeing.
| S-EPMC7641386 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC7833946 | biostudies-literature
Project description:As a public health measure during the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world instituted a variety of interventions to 'flatten the curve'. The government of Maryland instituted similar measures. We observed a striking decline in paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions during that period, mostly due to a decease in respiratory infections. We believe this decline is multifactorial: less person-to-person contact, better air quality and perhaps 'fear' of going to a hospital during the pandemic. We report an analysis of our PICU admissions during the lockdown period and compared them with the same time period during the four previous years.
| S-EPMC7640529 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesQuantitative research on the psychological effects of lockdown conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic is needed to inform mental health interventions which aim to alleviate potential adverse effects. The goal of this study was to investigate psychological distress during the lockdown in New Zealand.MethodsWe implemented a longitudinal quasi-experimental research design using a sample (n = 81) who completed surveys on mindfulness, satisfaction with life, and mental health indicators at three time-points, separated by at least 2-week intervals. The sample was divided into two parts, the baseline group (n = 44) and the lockdown group (n = 37). The baseline group completed the surveys the first time prior to lockdown, and mostly completed the second and third surveys during lockdown. The lockdown group mostly completed the survey for the first time during lockdown and the second and third surveys during or after lockdown.ResultsMindfulness and satisfaction with life at baseline significantly predicted lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress during uncertain and emergency conditions before and during lockdown. The baseline group experienced significantly less anxiety and stress during lockdown compared to just prior to the lockdown (baseline condition).ConclusionsIndividuals who have higher levels of mindfulness and those with greater life satisfaction experience significantly less depression, anxiety, and stress over time, during both uncertain and emergency conditions such as during the threat of COVID-19. The finding of anxiety and stress reduction during lockdown may be specific to New Zealand, as conditions differ in many ways from those in other countries. Preventative measures which increase mindfulness and satisfaction with life could help alleviate depression, anxiety, and stress during uncertain and emergency conditions.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12671-021-01731-4.
| S-EPMC8387552 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundTelemedicine can take many forms, from telephone-only consultations to video consultations via a smartphone or personal computer, depending on the goals of the treatment. One of the advantages of videoconferencing is the direct visual contact between patients and therapists even over long distances. Although some telemedicine models require specially designed add-on devices, others get by with off-the-shelf equipment and software and achieve similarly successful successful results. This depends, among other things, on the nature of the injury, the desired outcome of therapy, and the medical consultation. In the last decade, the science and practice of telemedicine have grown exponentially and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depending on the traumatic lesion, posttraumatic and postoperative treatment and care of patients who experience trauma may require medical or physical therapy consultations in a clinic or office. However, due to the COVID-19 lockdown, direct physical follow-up was more difficult, and therefore, telemedicine solutions were sought and implemented.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess satisfaction with telemedical aftercare in patients with orthopedic trauma.MethodsBetween March and July 2020, a standardized interview using a standardized questionnaire-Freiburg Index of Patient Satisfaction (FIPS)-among patients with orthopedic trauma who received telemedical postsurgical or physiotherapeutic care was conducted. The FIPS is composed of 5 questions regarding treatment and 1 question on the overall treatment satisfaction. Furthermore, we assessed patients' demographics and their telemedical use. Subgroup analysis was performed for age groups (<65 years vs ≥65 years), the used device, and gender.ResultsIn total, we assessed 25 patients with a mean age of 43 (SD 24.31) years (14 female). The majority of patients (n=19, 76%) used their smartphone for consultations. The mean overall FIPS score assessed was 2.14 (SD 0.87). The mean FIPS score for younger patients was 2.23 (SD 0.90) vs 1.91 (SD 0.82) for older patients. The vast majority of the surveyed patients (n=20, 80%) were absolutely confident with their smartphone or tablet use.ConclusionsMost patients surveyed stated a high satisfaction with the telemedical follow-up. Older patients showed a higher satisfaction rate than their younger counterparts. It seems that telemedical postsurgical or physiotherapeutic care is a viable option, especially in times of reduced contact, like the current COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, telemedicine offers the opportunity to ensure access to effective patient care, even over long distances, while maintaining patient satisfaction.
| S-EPMC9472502 | biostudies-literature
Project description:To control the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), China imposed nationwide restrictions on the movement of its population (lockdown) after the Chinese New Year of 2020, leading to large reductions in economic activities and associated emissions. Despite such large decreases in primary pollution, there were nonetheless several periods of heavy haze pollution in eastern China, raising questions about the well-established relationship between human activities and air quality. Here, using comprehensive measurements and modeling, we show that the haze during the COVID lockdown was driven by enhancements of secondary pollution. In particular, large decreases in NOx emissions from transportation increased ozone and nighttime NO3 radical formation, and these increases in atmospheric oxidizing capacity in turn facilitated the formation of secondary particulate matter. Our results, afforded by the tragic natural experiment of the COVID-19 pandemic, indicate that haze mitigation depends upon a coordinated and balanced strategy for controlling multiple pollutants.
| S-EPMC7337733 | biostudies-literature