Masks and respirators for prevention of respiratory infections: a state of the science review

Clinical Microbiology Reviews, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 37(2)

Опубликована: Май 22, 2024

SUMMARYThis narrative review and meta-analysis summarizes a broad evidence base on the benefits-and also practicalities, disbenefits, harms personal, sociocultural environmental impacts-of masks masking. Our synthesis of from over 100 published reviews selected primary studies, including re-analyzing contested meta-analyses key clinical trials, produced seven findings. First, there is strong consistent for airborne transmission severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) other pathogens. Second, are, if correctly consistently worn, effective in reducing diseases show dose-response effect. Third, respirators are significantly more than medical or cloth masks. Fourth, mask mandates overall, community Fifth, important symbols; non-adherence to masking sometimes linked political ideological beliefs widely circulated mis- disinformation. Sixth, while much that not generally harmful general population, may be relatively contraindicated individuals with certain conditions, who require exemption. Furthermore, groups (notably D/deaf people) disadvantaged when others masked. Finally, risks environment single-use respirators. We propose an agenda future research, improved characterization situations which should recommended mandated; attention comfort acceptability; generalized disability-focused communication support settings where worn; development testing novel materials designs filtration, breathability, impact.

Язык: Английский

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How does COVID stress vary across the anxiety-related disorders? Assessing factorial invariance and changes in COVID Stress Scale scores during the pandemic

Journal of Anxiety Disorders, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 87, С. 102554 - 102554

Опубликована: Март 4, 2022

No studies have examined whether levels of COVID stress vary across anxiety-related disorders. Likewise, no assessed structural invariance the Stress Scales (CSS) clinical diagnoses. We sought to address these issues in present study. Given dynamic nature pandemics, we also changed from first third wave those with diagnoses and mental health conditions.Data were collected during COVID-19 two independent samples adults about a year apart (early-mid 2020, N = 6854; early-mid 2021, 5812) recruited Canada United States through an online survey. Participants provided demographic information, indicated presence current (i.e., past-year) or mood disorder, completed CSS.The five CSS reliable (internally consistent), five-factor structure was stable samples. Scores tended be highest people disorders, particularly panic disorder. As expected, scores fluctuated over time, being higher early phases pandemic when threat greatest lower later phases, vaccines deployed reduced.The findings add growing number supporting psychometric properties CSS. The results encourage further investigations into utility scales, such as their ability detect treatment-related changes COVID-19-related distress. scales show promise for future pandemics outbreaks because can modified, minor wording changes, assess distress associated all kinds disease outbreaks.

Язык: Английский

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COVID-19 Pandemic Fatigue and Its Sociodemographic, Mental Health Status, and Perceived Causes: A Cross-Sectional Study Nearing the Transition to an Endemic Phase in Malaysia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 20(5), С. 4476 - 4476

Опубликована: Март 2, 2023

This study aimed to explore the socio-demographic characteristics, mental health status, and perceived causes of pandemic fatigue with COVID-19 among general population Malaysia. The data was collected online during transition from phase endemic in Malaysia 1 30 April 2022. Sociodemographic data, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), fatigue, Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) were included survey. chi-square test a simple logistic regression analysis used identify predictors fatigue. completed survey (N = 775) individuals aged 18 years or above [mean 31.98 (SD 12.16)] all states Pandemic prevalence 54.2%. Severe extremely severe depression, anxiety, stress symptoms detected 11.2%, 14.9%, 9.1% participants, respectively. Younger age, non-Malay ethnicity, living alone, higher income categories significantly fatigued group. Higher DASS-21 scores on domains associated FAS scores. Meanwhile, high for tiredness complying Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), risk infection COVID-19, hardship due pandemic, public complacency changes score. provides valuable information policymakers professionals worldwide its factors, including status

Язык: Английский

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Unmasking sentiments: a netnographic exploration of public discourse on facemasks during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy

Current Psychology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 17, 2025

Язык: Английский

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History of Alcohol Use Disorder and Housing Instability as Predictors of Fatigue and Mental Health Problems During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Prevention Science, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Фев. 11, 2025

Abstract Mental health and alcohol problems are significant public concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Housing instability symptoms of fatigue understudied aspects This study examined history Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), infection, housing as correlates fatigue, anxiety, depression symptoms. Data were drawn from 250 adults enrolled in an online survey within NIAAA Pandemic Impact on Study between April 6 June 2 2022. Participants completed self-report measures stability, mental Multivariable analyses controlling for age, sex, race, ethnicity, household income conducted. Individuals with a AUD reported higher anxiety symptoms, depressive when compared to those no AUD. “other” arrangements (not renting or owning) pandemic relative homeowners. who worried about not having place live past months physical individuals without worry. History infection was neither associated nor instability, captured by worry arrangements, greater problems, even after income. uniquely contributed warranting further research targeted prevention intervention efforts.

Язык: Английский

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Experiences of Public Health Professionals Regarding Crisis Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies

JMIR Infodemiology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 5, С. e66524 - e66524

Опубликована: Март 14, 2025

Background The COVID-19 pandemic emerged in the digital age and has been called first “data-driven pandemic” human history. global response demonstrated that many countries had failed to effectively prepare for such an event. Learning through experience a crisis is one way improve management process. As world returned normal after pandemic, questions about have raised several require careful consideration. Objective This review aimed collect organize public health professionals’ experiences communication during pandemic. Methods We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Communication Abstracts February 2024 locate English-language articles qualitatively investigated difficulties needs experienced by professionals their activities Results included 17 studies. Our analysis identified 7 themes 20 subthemes. were communication, caused “infodemic,” partnerships within or outside health, community engagement, effective burnout among communicators, need train specialists establish permanent organization specializing communication. Conclusions gaps between existing guidelines real-world environment clarified arose from these gaps. Crisis strategies should be updated with reference revealed this respond subsequent crises. Trial Registration PROSPERO CRD42024528975; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=528975 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/58040

Язык: Английский

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Quantifying the waning effect of non-pharmaceutical interventions with case study in COVID-19

International Journal of Data Science and Analytics, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 28, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Heterogeneous Mental Health Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany: An Examination of Long-Term Trajectories, Risk Factors, and Vulnerable Groups

Healthcare, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 11(9), С. 1305 - 1305

Опубликована: Май 3, 2023

Abundant studies have examined mental health in the early periods of COVID-19 pandemic. However, empirical work examining impact pandemic's subsequent phases remains limited. In present study, we investigated how vulnerability and resilience evolved over various pandemic 2020 2021 Germany. Data were collected (n = 3522) across seven measurement occasions using validated self-generated measures resilience. We found evidence for an immediate increase during first lockdown Germany, a trend towards recovery when eased, with each passing month second lockdown. Four different latent trajectories resilience-vulnerability emerged, majority participants displaying rather resilient trajectory, but nearly 30% sample fell into more vulnerable groups. Females, younger individuals, those history psychiatric disorders, lower income groups, high trait low social belonging likely to exhibit associated poorer well-being. Our findings indicate that responses Germany may been complex than previously thought, identifying risk groups could benefit from greater support.

Язык: Английский

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Resilience and Wellbeing Strategies for Pandemic Fatigue in Times of Covid-19

International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Сен. 30, 2022

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic is truly one of the greatest collective health crises in history which have altered our life and living. For years, people felt fatigued from following public directives such as social distancing, wearing masks, washing hands frequently, working or studying remotely without in-person interactions. In this paper, we explore strategies for resilience wellbeing can mitigate pandemic-caused stress behavioural fatigue. We start with individual level including reworking appraisals, importance psychological flexibility, reducing loneliness through adaptive online platform use, optimizing familial relationships when living close quarters a prolonged period, symptoms burnout using distractions, specific evidence-based strategies. discuss considerations tap on shared identities responsibilities enhance sense community, especially individuals marginalized backgrounds how suicide risks be minimized.

Язык: Английский

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“Pandemic Fatigue” in South America: A Multi-Center Report from Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay

Brain Sciences, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 13(3), С. 444 - 444

Опубликована: Март 4, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a heavy impact on daily life, leading to physical and psychosocial consequences. Nowadays, clinicians health researchers are particularly interested in describing facing the long-term effects of COVID-19, also known as "long-COVID syndrome". Pandemic fatigue been defined cluster demotivation, tiredness, psychological that emerge gradually over time after infection or through adoption recommended measures combat it. In this study, we report findings large survey conducted South America involving 1448 participants (mean age: 33.9 ± 11.2 years old) from Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Peru, Paraguay. An online was launched common social media based specific assessment aimed detect prevalence associated factors. Socio-demographic characteristics, medical, personal information were collected; Fatigue Scale (PFS) Coronavirus Anxiety (CAS) administered. We found mid-levels among respondents (21.7 7.95 score at PFS) well significant anxiety related (1.56 2.76 CAS). addition, significantly with experience loss relative/friend due infection, reliance primary source pandemic. Vaccination reduced levels respondents. Our may add international debate regarding consequences strategies manage them general population America.

Язык: Английский

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