Large decrease in paediatric hospitalisations during the COVID-19 outbreak in Japan.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Sano K
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7956728 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:PurposeThe COVID-19 outbreak witnessed in the first months of 2020 has led to unprecedented changes in society's lifestyles. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effect of this unexpected context on sleep.MethodsDuring the COVID-19 outbreak, we performed an online survey with individuals formerly recruited for validation of the Spanish version of the sleep questionnaire Satisfaction, Alertness, Timing, Efficiency, and Duration (SATED). In the current survey, we asked the participants to complete the previously answered questionnaires including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a modified version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the SATED questionnaire. We also assessed the mood by the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire.ResultsThe 71 participants were mostly women (75%) with a mean (± SD) age of 40.7 ± 11.9 years. Comparing the previous PSQI score to that during the COVID-19 outbreak, we observed worsening sleep quality (5.45 ± 3.14 to 6.18 ± 3.03 points, p = 0.035). In parallel, there was an increase in the negative mood (p = 0.002). Accordingly, the decrease in sleep quality was substantially correlated with negative mood (p < 0.001). There were no differences in the ESS or SATED.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 outbreak-associated events correlate with decreased sleep quality in association with an increase in negative mood. Considering the importance of sleep for a healthy life, and in particular for immune function, efforts should be made to improve awareness on this matter and to offer psychological assistance to affected individuals.
| S-EPMC7521946 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The primary objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of burnout among paediatric residents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in France. The secondary objective was to identify risk factors associated with burnout in this population. In a nationwide, cross-sectional survey, a questionnaire was e-mailed to all paediatric residents in France in the first week of May 2020. The prevalence of burnout was assessed with the validated French-language version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey. The questionnaire also contained items on the residents' sociodemographic characteristics and professional situation. Three hundred and forty paediatric residents completed the questionnaire. The median age was 27 (interquartile range 25-28) and 285 (83.8%, 95% confidence interval (CI) [79.5-87.6]) of the residents were women. The prevalence of burnout was 37.4%, 95%CI [32.2-42.7]. There was no association between burnout and exposure to the consequences of COVID-19, which may be related to the low incidence of severe COVID-19 among children. In contrast, the hours worked per week and the anxiety scores were significantly associated with burnout.Conclusion: The level of burnout among French paediatric residents is a matter of concern for residents, and cannot be ascribed to the COVID-19 outbreak. Preventive actions should be implemented, with a reduction in working hours and support programs to help manage work-related anxiety. What is Known: • Burnout is a concern for both residents and the patients they care for. • Natural disasters disrupt the health care organizations and increase the burnout rate. What is New: • The prevalence of burnout among paediatric residents in France is 37.4%, 95%CI [32.2-42.7]. • COVID-19 outbreak is not associated with burnout in this population but anxiety and working hours per week might be modifiable risk factors.
| S-EPMC7788161 | biostudies-literature
Project description:To clarify the physical and mental conditions of children during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and consequent social distancing in relation to the mental condition of their caregivers. This internet-based nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted between April 30 and May 13, 2020. The participants were 1,200 caregivers of children aged 3-14 years. Child health issues were categorized into "at least one" or "none" according to caregivers' perception. Caregivers' mental status was assessed using the Japanese version of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-6. The association between caregivers' mental status and child health issues was analyzed using logistic regression models. Among the participants, 289 (24.1%) had moderate and 352 (29.3%) had severe mental distress and 69.8% of children in their care had health issues. The number of caregivers with mental distress was more than double that reported during the 2016 national survey. After adjusting for covariates, child health issues increased among caregivers with moderate mental distress (odds ratio 2.24, 95% confidence interval 1.59-3.16) and severe mental distress (odds ratio 3.05, 95% confidence interval 2.17-4.29) compared with caregivers with no mental distress. The results highlight parents' psychological stress during the pandemic, suggesting the need for adequate parenting support. However, our study did not consider risk factors of caregivers' mental distress such as socioeconomic background. There is an urgent need for further research to identify vulnerable populations and children's needs to develop sustainable social support programs for those affected by the outbreak.
| S-EPMC7728265 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in wastewater samples has been documented in several countries. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is potentially effective for early warning of a COVID-19 outbreak. In this study, presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater samples was investigated and was compared with the number of the confirmed COVID-19 cases in the study area during COVID-19 outbreak in Japan. In total, 45 influent wastewater samples were collected from five wastewater treatment plants in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures in Japan. During the study period, the numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in these prefectures increased from 0.3 and 0 to >20 per 100,000 people. SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the samples was detected using several PCR-based assays. Of the 45 samples, 21 were positive for SARS-CoV-2 according to at least one of the three quantitative RT-PCR assays. The detection frequency increased when the number of total confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases in 100,000 people exceeded 10 in each prefecture; however, SARS-CoV-2 could also be detected at a low frequency even when the number was below 1.0. SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater could be detected in the early stage of the epidemic, even if the number of confirmed cases potentially underestimates the actual numbers of cases. This suggests that WBE approach can potentially act as an early warning of COVID-19 outbreaks in Japan.
| S-EPMC7654358 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesTo clarify the implementation status of personal protective measures by ordinary citizens in Japan during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study based on internet-based survey. A total of 2400 people (50% male: 20-79 years) were selected between February 25 and 27, 2020, from registrants of an Internet research company, to complete a questionnaire. Participants were asked to indicate how often they implemented the following five personal protective measures recommended by the World Health Organization (hand hygiene, social distancing measures, avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth, respiratory etiquette, and self-isolation). In addition, the participants responded to questions regarding the daily frequency of hand hygiene events.ResultsThe prevalence of the five personal protective measures ranged from 59.8% to 83.8%, with the lowest being avoiding touching the eyes, nose, and mouth. In total, 34.7% implemented all personal protective measures. The median daily hand hygiene events were 5 per day (25th percentile, 75th percentile: 3,8).ConclusionsThe protective measures implemented by ordinary citizens are insufficient and further public awareness activities are required.
| S-EPMC7194542 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesThis study evaluated the characteristics of individuals with voluntary behavioural changes (cancellation and postponement of bookings) during the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Japan. In addition, the temporal trends of these changes were captured.Study designA cross-sectional analysis and a time series analysis were conducted.MethodsA nation-wide retrospective panel survey was conducted at the end of March 2020 (n = 1052). Odds ratios for cancellations/postponements with respect to individual characteristics were calculated in the analysis. To determine the temporal trend, the incidence ratios were compared throughout the time series analysis for four time periods: period 1, before the announcement of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) from the World Health Organisation (WHO) (January 1-31); period 2, after the announcement of PHEIC (February 1-26); period 3, after the announcement of school closures by the Japanese government (February 27 - March 11); and period 4, after the announcement of the pandemic by the WHO (March 12-31).ResultsIn total, 72% of respondents cancelled or postponed their bookings at least once, and about half of the changes occurred in period 3. Elderly individuals' changes in gatherings were, on average, 5.9 times (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-17.9) higher than those of young individuals. The incidence rate of change in gatherings during period 3 was 7.11 times (95% CI: 5.16-9.81) higher than in period 2 and 3.15 times (95% CI: 2.25-4.43) higher than in period 4. Significant interaction terms were observed in age and residential city size, but not sex, of the respondents.ConclusionsA significant proportion of the Japanese population voluntarily changed their behaviour during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, and the government's announcement of school closures was a key trigger during this time.
| S-EPMC7816943 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly spread worldwide in the first quarter of 2020 and resulted in a global crisis. Investigation of the potential association of the spread of the COVID-19 infection with climate or ambient air pollution could lead to the development of preventive strategies for disease control. To examine this association, we conducted a longitudinal cohort study of 28 geographical areas of Japan with documented outbreaks of COVID-19. We analyzed data obtained from March 13 to April 6, 2020, before the Japanese government declared a state of emergency. The results revealed that the epidemic growth of COVID-19 was significantly associated with increase in daily temperature or sunshine hours. This suggests that an increase in person-to-person contact due to increased outing activities on a warm and/or sunny day might promote the transmission of COVID-19. Our results also suggested that short-term exposure to suspended particles might influence respiratory infections caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Further research by well-designed or well-controlled study models is required to ascertain this effect. Our findings suggest that weather has an indirect role in the transmission of COVID-19 and that daily adequate preventive behavior decreases the transmission.
| S-EPMC7420955 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to be a major global health burden. This study aims to estimate the all-cause excess mortality occurring in the COVID-19 outbreak in Japan, 2020, by sex and age group.MethodsDaily time series of mortality for the period January 2015-December 2020 in all 47 prefectures of Japan were obtained from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan. A two-stage interrupted time-series design was used to calculate excess mortality. In the first stage, we estimated excess mortality by prefecture using quasi-Poisson regression models in combination with distributed lag non-linear models, adjusting for seasonal and long-term variations, weather conditions and influenza activity. In the second stage, we used a random-effects multivariate meta-analysis to synthesize prefecture-specific estimates at the nationwide level.ResultsIn 2020, we estimated an all-cause excess mortality of -20 982 deaths [95% empirical confidence intervals (eCI): -38 367 to -5472] in Japan, which corresponded to a percentage excess of -1.7% (95% eCI: -3.1 to -0.5) relative to the expected value. Reduced deaths were observed for both sexes and in all age groups except those aged <60 and 70-79 years.ConclusionsAll-cause mortality during the COVID-19 outbreak in Japan in 2020 was decreased compared with a historical baseline. Further evaluation of cause-specific excess mortality is warranted.
| S-EPMC8856001 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:COVID-19 appeared in late 2019, causing a pandemic spread. This led to a reorganisation of oncology care in order to reduce the risk of spreading infection between patients and healthcare staff. Here we analysed measures taken in major oncological units in Europe and the USA. METHODS:A 46-item survey was sent by email to representatives of 30 oncological centres in 12 of the most affected countries. The survey inquired about preventive measures established to reduce virus spread, patient education and processes employed for risk reduction in each oncological unit. RESULTS:Investigators from 21 centres in 10 countries answered the survey between 10 April and 6 May 2020. A triage for patients with cancer before hospital or clinic visits was conducted by 90.5% of centres before consultations, 95.2% before day care admissions and in 100% of the cases before overnight hospitalisation by means of phone calls, interactive online platforms, swab test and/or chest CT scan. Permission for caregivers to attend clinic visits was limited in many centres, with some exceptions (ie, for non-autonomous patients, in the case of a new diagnosis, when bad news was expected and for terminally ill patients). With a variable delay period, the use of personal protective equipment was unanimously mandatory, and in many centres, only targeted clinical and instrumental examinations were performed. Telemedicine was implemented in 76.2% of the centres. Separated pathways for COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative patients were organised, with separate inpatient units and day care areas. Self-isolation was required for COVID-19-positive or symptomatic staff, while return to work policies required a negative swab test in 76.2% of the centres. CONCLUSION:Many pragmatic measures have been quickly implemented to deal with the health emergency linked to COVID-19, although the relative efficacy of each intervention should be further analysed in large observational studies.
| S-EPMC7451457 | biostudies-literature