Search Results (157)

The German author Hans Erich Nossack (1901–1977) wrote the novel “On Call: A Report on the Epidemic” four years before his death. This fascinating novel has yet to be translated into English. It depicts a bleak future in which a mysterious global epidemic erupts. The focus is on an unnamed first-person narrator, a chemist in a so-called on-call unit. His task is to recover the numerous bodies left behind by the epidemic. In a matter-of-fact, almost emotionless tone, he reconstructs the course of the catastrophe in retrospect. The disease is an anomaly: it is a kind of ‘suicide epidemic’ in which people apparently die or take their own lives for no apparent reason. The reasons for this remain unclear, intensifying uncertainty and a sense of helplessness within society. The novel describes in great detail fundamental changes in individual psychology and global society, revealing striking parallels nearly 50 years later during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. This paper seeks to compare the suicide pandemic described in the novel with today’s COVID-19 pandemic. To the best of my knowledge, this association has not been previously described. Similarities between the novel and the pandemic will be analysed. Nevertheless, there are also fundamental differences between the novel’s plot and the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, some basic information about the author Nossack (a rather complex personality), likely not well-known to non-German-speaking readers, will be provided. The goal of this contribution is to familiarise non-German-speaking readers with this novel and its author. Finally, I will briefly mention Aaron Antonovsky’s concept of salutogenesis, which focuses on building resilience, resources, and supportive environments to manage disease. Nossack’s “Bereitschaftsdienst” anticipates key questions in salutogenesis—particularly the importance of finding meaning, comprehensibility, and coping strategies in the face of existential threats—but explores them within a far darker and more sceptical framework. Full article

The world has already been facing food, nutrition, and security challenges for the last few decades. The coronavirus 2019, COVID-19, has a significant impact on food security and agriculture, such as affecting food demand and the food supply chain, with the greatest consequences on the most vulnerable population. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the effects of COVID-19 on global agriculture and food security, drawing on recent scientific publications, institutional reports, and policy documents from 2020 to 2026. The review examines the impact of the pandemic on cropping patterns, fruit and vegetable harvests, availability of farm inputs, connectivity of the agricultural system, food supply chains, food demand, and labor availability. Vegetable and fruit markets were most affected due to the spread of COVID-19. Due to the closing of markets and restaurants, produce distributors and farmers were required to transfer supplies entirely from the food production to the marketplace. These effects are additionally being felt in agriculture and food security. Almost 55% of researchers indicated that COVID-19 has the most impact on agriculture and its complete harvest during the season, and an additional 45% stated that COVID-19 has adversely affected food security. However, food has slowed down well to date in numerous nations. The spread of COVID-19 is beginning to disrupt the supply of agricultural products and food to consumers and the marketplace across and within borders. The different spring crops, such as sunflower, canola, maize, barley, spring wheat, and various field vegetables, cannot be grown during COVID-19. Consequently, COVID-19 has had a binding effect on the food supply chain and agriculture due to the disruption, which the government should have addressed promptly. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented pressure on healthcare systems and frontline professionals, particularly nurses, highlighting the importance of understanding their emotional experiences and coping strategies. This study aimed to explore the emotional experiences and coping strategies of nursing professionals during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in a Spanish regional healthcare setting. A qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was conducted in 2020. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and written narratives from 36 nursing professionals working in the Riojan Health Service. Three main themes emerged: perceived emotions, stressors, and coping strategies. Nurses reported intense feelings of fear, uncertainty, and frustration, which negatively impacted their mental health and hindered emotional regulation and decision-making. Key stressors included high workload, lack of resources, constant exposure to risk, and rapidly changing clinical situations. Despite these challenges, participants described various coping strategies, such as peer support, professional commitment, and adaptive emotional responses, which helped them manage the situation. The findings describe the emotional impact experienced by nursing professionals during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic and identify coping strategies used in a specific regional healthcare context in Spain. Full article

Background: Home care (HC) has expanded globally, offering individualized care and reducing hospital demand, but the role of the family caregiver imposes a significant physical and emotional burden, particularly during health crises like coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to analyze the performance and quality of life perspectives of family caregivers during the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study was conducted with 101 family caregivers from the Better at Home Program in Santo André, Brazil, between February and March 2021. The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument was used to assess quality of life, and the Barthel Index was used to evaluate the degree of patient dependence. Results: The sample showed a predominance of women (mean age 56 years, SD = 12.541; 13.9% aged 20–40 years, 41.4% aged 43–59 years, 44.7% aged 60–84 years) convenience sample, with low education and family income up to two minimum wages. Most caregivers were fully dedicated to patients with high dependence (89.1% in total or severe dependence, mainly due to neurological disorders). Overall quality of life was classified as “needing to improve” or “regular” in 61.4% of cases, with the pandemic intensifying perceived difficulties and negatively impacting all quality of life domains. A high prevalence of untreated chronic diseases and low COVID-19 vaccination rates were concerning findings. Conclusions: Family caregivers represent a vulnerable population requiring public policies and integrated support strategies, including quality of life assessment, psychological support, financial assistance, and respite care to ensure continuity of humanized, quality care. Full article

This study identifies the factors that influence the use of the Airbnb platform by Generation Z and Y in Greece, classifies them into groups according to their attitudes, and profiles the tourists of each generation according to their preferences regarding Airbnb bookings. The researchers conducted a primary survey using a sample of 576 citizens. Factor analysis was conducted initially to identify the main factors that affect each generation in using Airbnb after the COVID-19 pandemic. Cluster analysis was performed to classify each generation into groups. Quadratic discriminant analysis was conducted in the third phase to check cluster predictability. Non-parametric tests, including the chi-square test, were performed to profile tourists of each generation according to their preferences regarding Airbnb bookings. The results of this study indicate that people of Generations Z and Y preferred to use Airbnb accommodations even after the COVID-19 pandemic. The fact that Airbnb is safer than a conventional hotel due to COVID-19, the easy booking process and access to house amenities, as well as other marketing issues, affects most people of Generation Z and Y. This market segmentation study is quite essential in the tourism industry, especially in a country where tourism is of great importance to its economy. It highlights the impact of the pandemic on decisions and attitudes regarding the use of Airbnb. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the factors that predict the acceptance of distance learning among undergraduate nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic and to examine Please check if the Citation part is missing the implications of these findings for nursing education in the post-pandemic era. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Greece with a convenience sample of undergraduate nursing students from the Hellenic Mediterranean University and the University of Patras. Data were collected between December 2020 and January 2021 using an online questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 21.0. A total of 378 undergraduate nursing students (mean age: 22 years) participated in this study. The regression model predicting students’ attitudes toward distance learning (ATel) was statistically significant and explained 18.3% of the variance in ATel scores (R² = 0.183, adjusted R² = 0.158). Among the psychological and experiential factors, future career concerns (β = 0.237, p < 0.001), emotional distress related to social isolation (β = 0.186, p = 0.001), and perceived difficulties in group work (β = 0.140, p = 0.013) were revealed as significant predictors of the students’ attitudes toward distance learning. In contrast, digital readiness, flexibility, and perceived effectiveness of distance learning were not revealed as statistically significant predictors in the multivariate model but were positively associated with students’ attitudes. Demographic characteristics were not identified as statistically significant predictors of ATel scores. Psychosocial factors were significantly associated with nursing undergraduate students’ attitudes toward distance learning, underscoring the importance of incorporating blended learning in higher education in the post-pandemic era to secure group interaction, effective collaboration, and students’ well-being. Full article

Alcohol is one of the most commonly consumed psychoactive substances worldwide, with university students representing a subgroup characterized by elevated consumption rates. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered significant behavioral shifts across the general population, with students particularly vulnerable to its psychosocial impacts. In this context, the present study aimed to assess alcohol consumption patterns among university students and to examine the influence of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic on these behaviors. A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and November 2020 using a structured, self-administered online questionnaire. Alcohol consumption was assessed through self-reported measures of use (yes/no), frequency of intake (e.g., weekly consumption), and perceived changes in consumption compared to the pre-pandemic period. The instrument also collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and COVID-19 diagnosis. A total of 1553 valid questionnaires (i.e., fully completed responses meeting inclusion criteria) were analyzed. The prevalence of self-reported alcohol consumption was 99.93%, reflecting the inclusion of individuals with any level of consumption (including occasional use). Weekly consumption was the most frequently reported pattern. Regarding changes during the pandemic, 248 students reported an increase in alcohol intake, which was considered the main outcome of the study. Students reporting a perceived decline in overall health were less likely to report increased consumption, whereas those with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis were more likely to report increased use. The findings reveal a high prevalence of alcohol consumption among university students and suggest that periods marked by abrupt behavioral and routine changes, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may significantly influence substance use patterns within this population. Full article

Solid waste management (SWM) is a major global challenge for environmental sustainability and public health. This study analyzed SWM perceptions and practices before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Playa Boca Chica, Tecpan de Galeana, Guerrero, Mexico, using a descriptive and quantitative approach. Data was collected from 60 households between September and October 2022 and analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 26; reliability was confirmed with Cronbach’s Alpha; and the generation-associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were estimated using the SWM-GHG climate calculator. This study explored socio-environmental dynamics in informal coastal settlements through a case study in the Global South. The results showed that waste generation remained stable during the pandemic (3.25 kg/day; p = 0.116), suggesting a pattern of behavioral rigidity in which entrenched waste management practices persisted despite the global health crisis, likely due to the absence of structural environmental interventions and policy-driven behavioral incentives. The climate calculator estimated GHG emissions of 92 and 99 tons of CO₂-eq/year before and during the pandemic, respectively. Residents highlighted the need for improved infrastructure, recycling, and composting, while 97% emphasized environmental education and waste separation. The absence of a local waste management policy contributes to persistent emissions, underscoring the need for integrated and sustainable SWM strategies. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education worldwide, including in Algeria. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to COVID-19 among biology students at the University of Constantine 1, Algeria, in 2021, aiming to inform university-based prevention strategies and future epidemic preparedness. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2021 among 300 students using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Sociodemographic data and KAP scores were collected and categorized as low, moderate, or high. Associations between KAP and demographic variables were analyzed. Results: Among participants, 86% were female, with a mean age of 22 ± 2 years. About 32% reported previous COVID-19 infection, and 59% had an infected family member. The mean knowledge score was 4.71 ± 0.94 (0–6), indicating high knowledge. The mean attitude score was 5.59 ± 1.91 (0–10), reflecting moderately positive attitudes, and the mean practice score was 8.92 ± 2.26 (0–12), indicating moderate adherence. No significant correlations were observed between knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Students showed good knowledge of COVID-19, but attitudes and practices were moderate, highlighting a gap between knowledge and behavior. Targeted university-based health education and behavioral interventions are needed to improve preventive adherence and epidemic preparedness. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated widespread concerns regarding its long-term effects on children’s mental health. While numerous studies documented increased psychological distress among children during the pandemic, less is known about how children’s emotional and behavioral functioning have evolved in the post-pandemic period. Objective: This study examines patterns of children’s mental health using survey data collected in 2023 and 2025. Guided by the dual-factor model of mental health, the analysis considers both psychological difficulties and positive social functioning in order to provide a multidimensional understanding of children’s well-being. Method: Data were collected using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-25), a widely used behavioral screening instrument assessing emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship problems, and prosocial behavior. These domains were analyzed across two time points to explore patterns of change in internalizing difficulties, externalizing difficulties, and social strengths among school-age children in the post-pandemic context (N = 1262 students in 2023 and N = 575 students in 2025). Results: The findings suggest that children’s mental health after the pandemic reflects both persistent vulnerability and adaptive capacity. Emotional symptoms and behavioral challenges remain present among a proportion of children, indicating that the psychological effects of pandemic-related disruptions may extend beyond the immediate crisis period. At the same time, many children demonstrate relatively stable levels of prosocial behavior, highlighting the continued importance of positive social functioning as a protective factor for psychological adjustment. Contributions: These results underscore the importance of adopting a comprehensive perspective on children’s mental health that recognizes both difficulties and strengths. The study highlights the role of schools and families in supporting children’s post-pandemic recovery through early mental health screening, social–emotional learning initiatives, and programs that promote empathy and peer support. Such approaches may contribute to strengthening children’s resilience and long-term well-being in the aftermath of large-scale social disruptions. Full article

Understanding COVID-19 transitions towards endemicity is vital by examining center-specific data within provincial and national contexts. This retrospective study aimed to enhance public health management and understanding of COVID-19 dynamics using data from Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia (AJCUI) and open-source databases from Jakarta and Indonesia’s official websites from July 2020 to December 2022. Trends across data sources were compared, and correlations between positivity rates at AJCUI and Jakarta/Indonesia were assessed using linear regression. A total of 8,354,809 positive samples were analyzed nationally, showing similar trends and peaks of positivity rates across databases, with positive correlations between AJCUI–Jakarta (β = 1.154; p < 0.001; 95% CI = 0.86–1.45) alongside AJCUI–Indonesia (β = 1.262; p < 0.001; 95% CI = 0.74–1.79). Mobility restriction policies substantially reduced the positivity rate within the study period. Further analysis of AJCUI showed that higher proportions of low Ct value (≤30) were associated with increased contemporaneous positivity at AJCUI (β = 0.442; p < 0.001) and Jakarta (β = 0.319; p < 0.001), although inadequately reflected in Indonesia (β = 0.039; p = 0.589). This study highlights the potential of incorporating Ct value distributions as epidemiological indicators within surveillance systems. These findings support the importance of comprehensive laboratory data recording to better characterize COVID-19 transmission patterns across different surveillance levels, alerting policymakers to establish efficient policies. Full article

COVID-19-related school closures substantially disrupted students’ daily lives. While prior research has predominantly relied on externally assessed achievement data and proxy indicators of well-being, less is known about students’ own perceptions of their experiences during distance learning. This study addresses this gap, using a qualitatively informed quantitative analysis. First, open-ended responses from N = 698 students from German and Swiss schools were analyzed to identify perceived positive and negative aspects of distance learning, thereby providing experience-based indicators of how the pandemic affected students’ well-being. Quantitative content analysis revealed that students most frequently mentioned advantages such as being at home and experiencing greater independence, while common disadvantages included a lack of social contact and insufficient learning support. Second, random forest models were applied to identify individual, contextual, and background-related predictors of these perceptions. Students with stronger self-regulation skills, lower levels of procrastination, and better-equipped home learning environments were more likely to emphasize positive experiences. Conversely, younger students and those with weaker self-regulation and fewer home learning resources more frequently reported negative experiences. The findings reveal substantial variability in students’ perceptions of distance learning, shaped by learner-related, contextual, and broader background factors. They underscore the importance of fostering self-regulation and ensuring equitable access to learning resources to better prepare schools for future crises. Full article

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities experienced disproportionate COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, particularly in rural areas with limited public health infrastructure. This study examined primary COVID-19 information sources among AI/AN adults in rural Michigan and evaluated how trust in these sources relates to health knowledge, attitudes, and vaccination behaviors. We conducted a prospective, randomized pre-post interventional study among 273 adults at a tribal health clinic in rural Isabella County, Michigan (2022–2024). Participants were assigned to receive a culturally tailored educational video or infographic, and surveys assessed COVID-19 knowledge, vaccine attitudes, information sources, and perceived reliability. Social media was the most frequently used information source but was rated as less reliable, whereas healthcare workers (HCWs) were considered the most trusted. Reliance on HCWs and personal relationships was associated with higher baseline vaccine knowledge and greater uptake of influenza vaccination. Both educational formats resulted in modest improvements in COVID-19 knowledge and vaccine attitudes. While no consistent differences were observed between formats overall, infographic-based education was associated with greater gains in select vaccine knowledge domains among participants who relied on trusted interpersonal or clinical information sources. These findings highlight a “usage-trust gap” in rural AI/AN health communication, where frequently used information channels are not necessarily the most trusted. Culturally tailored messaging delivered through trusted clinical and interpersonal networks may enhance the effectiveness of public health communication and support vaccine uptake in underserved communities. Full article

Many people experienced difficulties grieving the death of a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main objective of this research was to examine the psychological manifestations of grief for people who experienced the death of a loved one between March 2020 and March 2022 in Panama. A sample of 110 participants completed an online survey including sociodemographic questions and psychological questionnaires. A subsample of twenty-six participants was interviewed about their experience of loss leading up to death, at the time of death, and after death. Results indicated that 43.6% of participants suffered from complicated grief (CG). Participants who experienced CG had more post-traumatic stress symptoms, somatic symptomatology, anxiety/insomnia, social dysfunction, severe depression, use of avoidant coping mechanisms, and more anxiety about the pandemic than participants who did not experience CG. A logistic regression analysis indicated that anxiety/insomnia symptoms, denial as a coping mechanism, and post-traumatic stress symptoms increased the likelihood of CG. For qualitative analyses, the most relevant themes that emerged were distress associated with contagion and illness, hospitalization and access to healthcare services, communication with medical staff, the impact of the news of death, inability to view the body, emotions following the loss, farewell rituals, and coping mechanisms. Full article

Background: Understanding how demographic and clinical factors influence SARS-CoV-2 infection patterns, vaccination uptake and disease outcomes in community settings is essential for effective primary care-based public health planning. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 infections among adults attending Primary Healthcare (PHC) facilities in Giannitsa, Greece, from 2020 to 2024, and to examine associations between demographic and clinical characteristics, vaccination category and disease outcomes. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the National Registry of Patients with COVID-19. The study included 1144 adults diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 at PHC facilities from 19 November 2020 to 3 October 2024; all cases included in the present analysis had been confirmed by rapid antigen testing. Variables included age, gender, residence, registry-recorded underlying medical conditions, vaccination category, seasonality and clinical outcome. Results: Significant shifts in case distribution were observed across time, with younger adults predominating in 2020–2022 and older adults (61–90 years) in 2023–2024 (p < 0.001). Winter months showed higher case incidence overall (p < 0.001). Vaccination coverage increased annually, reaching 84.8% in 2024 (p < 0.001). Hospitalization/death occurred in 1.7% of patients and was strongly associated with age ≥61 years (6.0% vs. 0.3%), the presence of at least one registry-recorded underlying medical condition (9.2% vs. 0.9%) and vaccination category; specifically, hospitalization/death occurred in 10.4% of individuals diagnosed during the pre-vaccine period, 2.3% of unvaccinated individuals during the vaccination era and 0.9% of vaccinated individuals (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: Older age, underlying medical conditions and a lack of vaccination were key predictors of worse outcomes. The findings underscore the importance of strengthening vaccination outreach and targeted PHC interventions, particularly for high-risk and rural populations. Full article