Search Results (205)

Infectious disease outbreaks amplify the influence of stressors on psychological conditions. The purpose of this study was to analyze the disturbing influence of COVID-19 outbreak-related information and the influence of trust on the Serbian healthcare system and COVID-19 preventive measures on anxiety and depression. An anonymous online questionnaire assessing the demographic information, disturbance level and causes, and levels of anxiety and depression has been distributed to the participants, divided into student and non-student groups. The non-student group was further divided into healthcare, military, and education workers. Anxiety and depression levels, as well as the level of decreased trust in COVID-19-related preventive measures, were higher among students compared to non-students (p = 0.011). Higher anxiety and depression levels, and higher influence of the COVID-19 outbreak on those levels, were observed in education and healthcare workers, compared to military personnel. Medical doctors reported a higher level of trust in the healthcare system compared to nurses (p = 0.023). Trust in the healthcare system increased more frequently compared to the pre-vaccination period among medical doctors, compared to nurses (p = 0.040). Higher anxiety and depression and lower public trust levels in students and workers in education and the healthcare sector indicate a need to focus on these important society members during public health emergencies. Full article

Introduction: Long COVID, or post-COVID-19 syndrome, refers to a set of persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection without another identifiable cause. Studies indicate that symptoms can last for up to two years and affect multiple body systems. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare symptom prevalence between infected individuals pre and post-COVID-19 and non-infected individuals in a population from Southeastern Brazil. Materials and Methods: A case–control study was conducted with participants from the MonitoraCovid program in a university in Brazil. The study included adults who responded to a questionnaire about long COVID symptoms. Data were collected virtually between October 2023 and May 2024. Results: Of the 2886 individuals eligible for analysis, 75.5% reported having been positive for COVID-19. Most participants were vaccinated, with 82.99% receiving two doses. In the pre and post comparison, individuals who had COVID-19 were more likely to report increased symptoms after infection, with 95.5% of assessed conditions worsening, particularly cognitive and respiratory issues. A comparison between those who had and had not been infected with COVID-19 showed that only 6.67% of symptoms were more prevalent in the infected group. The most significant post-COVID-19 symptoms included memory problems, fatigue, and shortness of breath, though some conditions, such as anxiety and sleep disturbances, were less common among those who had COVID-19. Conclusions: The findings reinforce that long COVID significantly impacts cognitive health, highlighting the importance of monitoring previously infected individuals. The study also emphasizes the need for further research in Global South contexts to better understand the long-term implications of COVID-19. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study explores gender variations in the associations between lifestyle choices, mental health, and social behaviors among adolescents in the Transylvania region of Romania. The analysis is based on data obtained through the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS). Materials and Methods: Data on 900 Romanian adolescents aged 11–18 years were obtained via the GSHS. This study evaluated nutritional statuses through BMI Z-scores, employing World Health Organization (WHO) cut-offs applied to self-reported height and weight; furthermore, it assessed well-being and perceived health; worries and sleep anxiety; social connections through having friends, loneliness, peer support, and emotional support; parental bonding relations; experiences of being bullied; safety and protection factors, including distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and testing or vaccinations for COVID-19; and social behaviors, including the use of social networks. A multiple logistic regression was used to predict sleep disturbance anxiety, depending on sex, bullying, cyberbullying, loneliness, social network use, and peer support. Results: Results showed that the majority of the adolescents reported having one or more friends (96.8%), with no significant difference between girls and boys (p = 0.071). There were no statistically significant differences in bullying and cyberbullying experiences between sexes (p = 0.063). Notably, gender disparities exist in both health perceptions and risk behaviors, with girls experiencing higher rates of negative health perceptions, sleep anxiety (p < 0.001), and loneliness (p = 0.011) and boys exhibiting more overweight/obesity (p < 0.001) and school truancy (p = 0.027). According to the results, loneliness is significantly associated with a higher likelihood of sleep-disturbing anxiety (p < 0.001). Students who have experienced cyberbullying are more likely to also experience traditional bullying. Students who feel lonely are more likely to be victims of bullying. Conclusions: This study reveals significant gender disparities in adolescent health, particularly in mental health, risk behaviors, and social support. It highlights the need for gender-specific interventions to address these challenges and promote healthy development. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of social connections, family support, and parental involvement in adolescent well-being. Addressing bullying, promoting mental health awareness, and providing accessible support services are crucial for improving adolescent health in Romania. Full article

Background/Objectives: Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a significant health risk, especially for individuals with chronic medical conditions. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most prevalent chronic, immune-mediated neurological disorder, and vaccinations are essential to its management. This study aimed to compare the reported willingness to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 with the actual vaccination status among people with MS (pwMS) and identify factors explaining the discrepancy. Methods: In a longitudinal, two-center study, we analyzed 149 patients aged 18 or older with a diagnosis of clinically isolated syndrome or MS. The participants completed three surveys: a baseline survey (from June 2019 to June 2020), a pre-vaccine follow-up (from May to July 2020), and a post-vaccine follow-up (from October 2021 to January 2022). The data included sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological information. Results: Among the 149 participants, 122 (81.9%) received a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, while 27 (18.1%) did not. The pwMS who were unwilling to become vaccinated and remained unvaccinated were less likely to live with a partner, had higher smoking rates, took more medications, had a higher number of previously discontinued disease-modifying therapies, and found pandemic policies inappropriate. No significant associations were found between vaccination willingness/status and factors like age, sex, depression, or anxiety. Conclusions: This study highlights the gap between vaccination willingness and actual status in pwMS, revealing factors associated with vaccine hesitancy. The findings of this study offer insights into addressing vaccine uptake. Full article

Background: Vaccine hesitancy (VH) is a significant public health challenge, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite extensive research on the psychological and socio-political determinants of VH, its psychophysiological mechanisms remain unexplored. Grounded in the Somatic Marker Hypothesis, this study aims to investigate the neurophysiological and affective processes underlying VH. Methods: Two experiments will assess sensorimotor resonance and affective processes in VH. In the first experiment, motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) will be recorded from the deltoid and extensor carpi radialis muscles while participants view images of people receiving COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as well as blood injections (Block 1), and images of vial containing the same substances (Block 2). Facial electromyographic (EMG) activity will measure disgust and fear responses. In the second experiment, skin conductance response (SCR) will be recorded during a virtual reality-based fear conditioning and extinction paradigm. Expected Outcomes: We hypothesize that vaccine-hesitant individuals will exhibit altered sensorimotor resonance, higher affective responses to vaccination stimuli, and impaired fear extinction learning. Psychological traits such as disgust sensitivity, paranoia, anxiety, and dogmatism are expected to be associated with VH. Conclusions: By identifying the psychophysiological mechanisms of VH, this study will contribute to developing effective vaccine promotion strategies to address future public health emergencies. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on nursing students by intertwining academic demands with health concerns, a situation that had effects on their emotional well-being and academic engagement. Factors such as sociodemographic characteristics and health status determined their experiences. Understanding these dynamics is crucial, especially in the context of the Spanish health and education systems. The present study aimed to adapt and assess the psychometric properties of the AMICO scale in the context of nursing students in Spain. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study. The study was carried out in University Nursing Centers in Spain using a non-probabilistic snowball sampling method. The total sample consisted of 1197 nursing students. Sociodemographic variables were included, as well as questions related to general health and some more specific questions about COVID-19. For the reliability study, Cronbach’s alpha was calculated. An exploratory factor analysis using principal components and varimax rotation was applied, excluding items with loadings below 0.05. Results: In this study, 1197 nursing students residing in Spain participated, of whom 85% were female, with a mean age of 22.35 years. Despite 73.9% of the students being isolated due to exposure to COVID-19, they rated their general health positively (7.86). Females reported higher levels of anxiety. The AMICO scale revealed significant differences according to gender, health, and vaccination history, showing high reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.913). Conclusions: The two-factor structure of the AMICO scale was validated, confirming its suitability for assessing anxiety and fear among nursing students in Spain. The study revealed significant emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among women, high-risk individuals, and those fully vaccinated. These findings accentuate the need for higher education institutions to implement targeted mental health interventions during public health emergencies. Future longitudinal research should examine the evolving psychological impact of such crises and the mitigating roles of quality of life, sleep, and physical activity. Full article

Background/Objectives: Trauma is a psychological injury resulting from a distressing or overwhelming event. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been disruptive and traumatic for many people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). The relationship between patient characteristics and trauma in pwMS during the pandemic has not yet been thoroughly explored. The aim of this bicentric prospective cohort study was to analyze the prevalence and development of probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among pwMS during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and to identify patient parameters associated with this condition. Methods: We have assessed pwMS for probable PTSD before and after the approval of the first SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in Germany using an adapted version of the Trauma Screening Questionnaire (TSQ). We compared pwMS with probable PTSD (TSQ sum score ≥ 6) with those without probable PTSD (TSQ sum score < 6) regarding sociodemographic and MS-specific clinical characteristics, polypharmacy status, comorbidities, anxiety/depression levels, personality traits, mental/physical/social burden, and general vaccination willingness. Results: Out of the 149 pwMS included, 8.1% were identified as having probable PTSD. These patients had significantly higher rates of pre-pandemic abnormal anxiety (66.7% vs. 18.5%, p < 0.001) and depression scores (45.5% vs. 12.6%, p = 0.013). The patients with probable PTSD exhibited a distinct personality profile, with significantly higher neuroticism and harm avoidance scores and lower conscientiousness, cooperativeness, and self-directedness scores. They were also significantly more likely to report severe or very severe mental/physical/social burdens during the pandemic compared to those without probable PTSD (p ≤ 0.045). Conclusions: Medical and social services should be provided to support patients who experienced serious stress or trauma. The development of concepts for education and vaccination procedures should be accompanied by comprehensive and clear communication that recognizes individual risk factors and addresses possible concerns with evidence-based and convincing arguments. Full article

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolved, long COVID emerged as a significant threat to public health, characterized by one or more persistent symptoms impacting organ systems beyond 12 weeks of infection. Informative research has been derived from assessments of long COVID among the Chinese populace. However, none of these studies considered the COVID-19 experience of Chinese residents in Canada. Objectives: We aimed to fill this literature gap by delineating the long COVID experience, prevalence, and associated factors among a sample of Chinese residing in Canada during the pandemic. Methods: The present study employed a cross-sectional online survey questionnaire distributed to a sample of Canadian Chinese using a convenience sampling procedure from 22 December 2022 to 15 February 2023. Respondents were probed for sociodemographic background and health-, COVID-, and vaccine-related characteristics. Logistic LASSO regression was used for model building, and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with developing long COVID. Results: Among 491 eligible participants, 63 (12.83%) reported experiencing long COVID with a mean duration of 5.31 (95% CI: 4.06–6.57) months and major symptoms including difficulty concentrating (21.67%), pain/discomfort (15.00%), as well as anxiety/depression (8.33%). Our final model identified significant associations between long COVID and two or more COVID-19 infections (OR = 23.725, 95% CI: 5.098–110.398, p < 0.0001), very severe/severe symptoms (OR = 3.177, 95% CI: 1.160–8.702, p = 0.0246), over-the-counter medicine (OR = 2.473, 95% CI: 1.035–5.909, p = 0.0416), and traditional Chinese medicine (OR = 8.259, 95% CI: 3.016–22.620, p < 0.0001). Further, we identified a significant protective effect of very good/good health status (OR = 0.247, 95% CI: 0.112–0.544, p = 0.0005). Conclusions: Long COVID effected a notable proportion of Canadian Chinese for a prolonged period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings underscore the importance of preexisting health status and reinfection prevention when managing long COVID. Moreover, our work indicates an association between using over-the-counter medicine or traditional Chinese medicine and long COVID experience among Canadian Chinese. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the crucial role of nurses in managing health crises, particularly in implementing vaccination campaigns launched in many countries worldwide. This descriptive study assesses nurses’ knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines and their involvement in vaccine vigilance. Conducted over four months in 2022 among 200 primary healthcare nurses in the Fès-Meknès region, the data were collected using a questionnaire developed and validated by a multidisciplinary team. The results show that 60% of participants self-reported being unaware of the nature of COVID-19 vaccines, and 49.5% did not understand the concept of vaccine pharmacovigilance. Additionally, 76.5% had not received any pharmacovigilance training in this pandemic context, 80% had never been in contact with pharmacovigilance centers, and 48.5% expressed a need for training in this field. One-third of the participants were unaware of severe adverse effects. The most frequently reported adverse effects were fever (76.5%), malaise (73%), and anxiety (63%). These results highlight the importance of strengthening continuous training and improving the coordination among various healthcare sector stakeholders to reduce vaccine hesitancy, enhance healthcare expertise, and ensure the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns during current and future pandemics. Full article

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on physical, mental, and social aspects of life worldwide. This study aimed to explore and compare differences in knowledge, awareness, behavior, and the psychological impact of the pandemic among students of biomedical faculties at the University of Zagreb. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 27 November 2020 and 19 January 2021 involving 518 students from the School of Dental Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed, assessing participants’ knowledge about SARS-CoV-2, information sources, attitudes, and psychological responses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and appropriate statistical tests. Results: The median knowledge score was 61.54%, with senior and female students demonstrating significantly more knowledge (p < 0.001 and p = 0.044, respectively). Students who consulted the scientific literature and official websites had higher knowledge levels (p < 0.001). Most participants used media and social networks for pandemic information, while scientific sources were underutilized. Psychological impacts were evident, with 46.3% expressing fear about the future and 25% reporting anxiety if they were to be infected. Additionally, those who engaged with the scientific literature were more likely to accept vaccination and showed lower levels of COVID-19 stigma. A majority (64.5%) believed that the media exaggerated the pandemic’s risks. Conclusions: Biomedical students demonstrated moderate knowledge about COVID-19, with a clear link between scientific literacy and more informed, less stigmatizing attitudes. This study underscores the importance of reliable information sources in shaping public health awareness and highlights the need for further education on COVID-19 symptoms and preventive measures. Full article

(1) Background: Exposure to blood carries the risk of transmission of many infectious diseases. Healthcare workers (HCWs), including hospital-based medical students, face high and often under-reported rates of exposure to needlestick and sharps injuries. Previous studies have shown that students’ knowledge of infection control varies, highlighting the importance of pre-placement training. This study aims to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding these risks in a population of medical students from Albania. (2) Methods: A validated questionnaire was administered to 134 medical students in an Italian hospital in May 2023. It assessed HBV vaccination status, adherence to infection control practices, knowledge of pathogen transmission, exposure incidents and attitudes towards infected patients. Three additional questions addressed air-borne transmission of tuberculosis and vaccination recommendations for healthcare workers. (3) Results: Most students (64%) reported being aware of occupational exposure risks. While 93% and 87%, respectively, recognised HIV and HBV as blood-borne pathogens, fewer recognised Treponema pallidum (44%). Awareness of post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV was high (85%), but although 75% reported having received training, only 45% felt it was adequate. Statistical analysis revealed an association between knowledge of infection control, awareness of pathogen transmission and understanding of the importance of vaccination. (4) Conclusions: Our study highlights gaps in medical students’ knowledge of occupational infections and highlights the need for improved pre-clerkship education. Improved education could reduce anxiety, ethical issues and misconceptions and promote safer healthcare practices. Full article

Background/Objectives: Our previous study of 291 cancer patients, we showed that 20% did not respond to two doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered six weeks apart. Methods: Here, we investigated if psychological factors (distress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms) affected antibody response and markers of vaccine activation (D-dimer) after 6 months from initial vaccination. Results: Overall, 31 subjects (14.2%) had no antibody response at 6 months. Our analysis revealed significant predictors of vaccine failure, including the stage of metastatic disease and high-stress levels (OR = 2.46, 95% CI, 1.05–5.77, p = 0.04). Notably, nonresponders showed twice the prevalence of distress than responders (21% vs. 10%, p = 0.04). Longitudinal measurements of IgG levels indicated that participants with high depressive symptoms at baseline maintained lower antibody levels over six months (p = 0.003). In addition, women with high anxiety showed reduced levels of D-dimer at 6 months (p = 0.03). These data also showed that smokers and former smokers had significantly lower antibody levels than their nonsmoking counterparts (p = 0.0004). At baseline, the high discomfort rate (≥5) was 34.4% in women and 23.8% in men; only men experienced an increase in median discomfort during the observation period. Moreover, a higher educational level was related to increased distress among women (p = 0.046). Conclusions: These findings underscore a critical association between elevated psychological distress and reduced immune responses to the COVID-19 vaccine, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted psychological and behavioral support within this vulnerable population. Full article

Objective: To examine patient-user symptom reporting to an AI-based online virtual triage (VT) and care-referral engine to assess patterns of mental health symptoms (MHS) reporting prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The frequencies of 11 MHS reported through VT were analyzed over three time intervals: one year prior to the WHO declaring a global COVID-19 emergency; from pandemic declaration to a mid-point in US vaccine distribution/uptake; and one year thereafter. Results: A total of 4,346,987 VT encounters/interviews presenting somatic and MHS occurred, increasing over time and peaking in the COVID-19 post-vaccine interval with 2,257,553 encounters (51.9%). In 866,218 encounters (19.9%), at least one MHS was reported. MHS reporting declined across subsequent time intervals, was lowest in the COVID-19 post-vaccine period (19.1%), and slightly higher in the pre-pandemic and COVID-19 pre-vaccine intervals (p = 0.05). The most frequently reported symptoms were anxiety, sleep disorder, general anxiety, irritability, and nervousness. Women reported anxiety less often and nervousness and irritability more often. Individuals aged 60+ years reported anxiety and nervousness less frequently, insomnia and sleep disorder more often than individuals 18–39 and 40–59 years old, and sleep disorder more often than those aged 40–59 years in all periods (all p = 0.05). Conclusions: Overall VT usage for somatic and mental health symptom reporting and care referral increased dramatically during the pandemic. VT effectively screened and provided care referral for patient-users presenting with MHS. Virtual triage offers a valuable additional vehicle to detect mental health symptoms and potentially accelerate care referral for patients needing care. Full article

Post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 (post-COVID-19) syndrome represents a cluster of persistent symptoms following Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that can severely affect quality of life. The pathogenic mechanisms and epidemiology in different regions are still under evaluation. To assess the outcomes of post-COVID-19 syndrome, we performed a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study in previously infected individuals. Out of 549 respondents, (male:female ratio: 0.32), 29.5% had persistent symptoms at 3 months, 23.5% had persistent symptoms at 6 months, and 18.3% had persistent symptoms at 12 months after the initial infection. The most common symptoms included fatigue (8.7%), sleep disturbances (7.1%), and cognitive impairment (6.4%). The risk of developing post-COVID-19 syndrome increased for those with more symptoms in the acute phase (OR 4.24, p < 0.001) and those experiencing reinfections (OR 2.405, p < 0.001), while SARS-CoV-2 vaccination halved the risk (OR = 0.489, p = 0.004). Individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome had a 5.7-fold higher risk of being diagnosed with a new chronic condition, with 44% reporting cardiovascular disease, and a 6.8-fold higher likelihood of needing medical care or leave. Affected individuals reported significant impairments in mobility, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, with 20.7% needing to adjust their work schedules. Overall, patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome require ongoing monitoring and rehabilitation, and further socio-economic impact studies are needed. Full article

Background: Depression and anxiety represent significant comorbidities in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, affecting their quality of life. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an uneven impact on global mental health. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) constitutes a validated tool to identify anxiety disorders and depression. The aim of this multicentre study was to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on depression and anxiety in IPF patients. Methods: Consecutive IPF patients (median 73.5 years) who are regularly followed-up with were included in the study. Demographics, functional, and clinical were recorded. The HADS score was calculated before and one month after vaccination against COVID-19 in all participants. A Wilcoxon signed ranks test was conducted. Results: A total of 180 IPF patients (median 73.5 years) were included in the study. Among them, 145 patients (81%) received antifibrotic treatment. A significant reduction in HADS, both in anxiety and depression scales, was observed one month after vaccination against SARS-COV-2), independent of age, smoking, lung function impairment, and prior history of depression (p < 0.01). Conclusions: A higher Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score was detected before vaccination against COVID-19. It seems that vaccination also offered a beneficial effect on depression and anxiety in IPF patients, independent of age, smoking, lung function impairment, and prior history of depression. Full article