Previous laboratory and field studies have demonstrated that the dishonesty of commercial transaction participants may depend on subtle cues. In this field study conducted on a sample of 216 shop ...assistants in Poland, we planned to demonstrate that coronavirus disease-related factors could result in an increased propensity for dishonesty among shop assistants. This investigation is unique in its application of social psychological theories to illuminate hitherto unexplored side effects of combating the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Our supposition was that the potential detriment encountered by individuals wearing solid surgical masks would involve being viewed as more abstract and remote, thereby heightening the likelihood of being deceived by a vendor. Moreover, we examined the potential relationship between the limited number of customers in retail establishments (related to pandemic restrictions) and the unscrupulous practices of sellers-specifically the act of retaining change. The effect of wearing masks was statistically non-significant, whereas the impact of other customers' absence was significant. Moreover, unexpected results related to transaction parties' genders were obtained, showing that shop assistants tended to be more honest when dealing with customers of the same gender. The results are discussed in the context of empathy toward masked customers, self-awareness theory, social norms of honesty, and identification with gender groups.
Introduction An Integrated Community treatment of Childhood disease (ICCM)- focused intervention involving a large number of Patent and proprietary medicine vendors (PPMVs) was conducted by Society ...for Family Health Nigeria to improve management of childhood, malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea with an intervention approach focused on knowledge and skill improvement. The intervention was conducted in Kaduna and Ebonyi state; recruited and trained 15 interpersonal communication agents (IPCAs) who were saddled with the responsibility to sensitize and mobilize caregivers with children within the age bracket of 2 months to 5 years to our mapped PPMVs within the communities, on the account of Malaria, Diarrhea, and Pneumonia; while the IPCAs in return monitor the quality-of-service delivery. Following the intervention, the Society for Family health conducted a study to demonstrate the effectiveness of interventions such as ICCM training, supervision and linkage to quality ICCM commodities, among PPMVs to achieve high levels of knowledge and performance in diagnosing and treating common childhood illnesses. Methods Longitudinal research (before and after study) was adopted for the study. From the 387 PPMVs recruited and trained by SFH, 165 PPMVs were systematically selected to participate in the study, before and after the implementation of the intervention. Using SPSS version 22, data from the observation and completed questionnaires were analyzed and a chi-square test was used to examine the associations between the categorical information collected prior and after the intervention. The analysis was conducted at 5% level of significance. Results More than 50 % of the study participants were females (56.4%) and majority were either Junior community extension workers (35%) or Senior community extension worker (27%). About 21.8% trained PPMVs could not appropriately treat malaria in the first quarter of the intervention, however, there was a significant decrease to 1.8% in second quarter in the number of those that cannot appropriately diagnose and treat malaria. There was also a decrease in the number of those who could not treat cough and fast breathing from 47(28.5%) to 14(8.5%) in the second quarter and for diarrhea from 33.3% in the first quarter to 2.4% in the second quarter. Conclusion The study revealed a significant improvement in the quality of treatment provided by the trained PPMVs across the three disease areas. PPMVs in hard-to-reach areas should be trained and supported to continuously provide quality services to change the indices of under-5 mortality in Nigeria. Keywords: Mortality, Under - 5, Caregiver, Community, Intervention, Malaria, Pneumonia and diarrhea
Ambient air quality is one of the most critical threats to human health. In this study, the health and economic benefits of reducing PM.sub.2.5 were estimated in the city of Arak during the period of ...2017-2019. The concentration data were obtained from the Environmental Protection Organization of Central Province, while the demographic data were obtained from the website of the Iran Statistics Center. The number of premature deaths from all causes, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer, attributable to PM.sub.2.5 pollution was estimated using the Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program-Comprehensive Version (BenMAP_CE) to limit the guidelines of the World Health Organization. The results showed that improving air quality in 2017, 2018, and 2019 in Arak could prevent the deaths of 729, 654, and 460 people, respectively. The number of years of life lost (YLL) in 2017, 2018, and 2019 was 11383, 10362, and 7260 years, respectively. The total annual economic benefits of reducing the PM2.5 concentration in Arak under the proposed scenarios in 2017, 2018, and 2019 were estimated to be 309,225,507, 262,868,727, and 182,224,053 USD, respectively, using the statistical life method (VSL). Based on the results of this study, there are significant health and economic benefits to reducing PM.sub.2.5 concentrations in Arak City. Therefore, planning and adopting control policies to reduce air pollution in this city are necessary.
In a previous study in Belgian nursing homes (NH) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, we found a SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 17% with a large variability (0-45%) between NH. The current ...exploratory study aimed to identify nursing home-specific risk factors for high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence. Between October 19.sup.th, 2020 and November 13.sup.th, 2020, during the second COVID-19 wave in Belgium, capillary blood was collected on dried blood spots from 60 residents and staff in each of the 20 participating NH in Flanders and Brussels. The presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies was assessed by ELISA. Risk factors were evaluated using a questionnaire, filled in by the director or manager of the NH. Assessed risk factors comprised community-related factors, resident-related factors, management and performance features as well as building-related aspects. The relation between risk factors and seroprevalence was assessed by applying random forest modelling, generalized linear models and Bayesian linear regression. The present analyses showed that the prevalence of residents with dementia, the scarcity of personal protective equipment (surgical masks, FFP2 masks, glasses and face shields), and inadequate PCR test capacity were related to a higher seroprevalence. Generally, our study put forward that the various aspects of infection prevention in NH require more attention and investment. This exploratory study suggests that the ratio of residents with dementia, the availability of test capacity and personal protective equipment may have played a role in the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of NH, after the first wave. It underscores the importance of the availability of PPE and education in infection prevention. Moreover, investments may also yield benefits in the prevention of other respiratory infections (such as influenza).
To quantify the associations between shielding status and loneliness at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and physical activity (PA) levels throughout the pandemic. Demographic, health and ...lifestyle characteristics of 7748 cognitively healthy adults aged >50, and living in London, were surveyed from April 2020 to March 2021. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short-form assessed PA before COVID-19 restrictions, and up to 6 times over 11 months. Linear mixed models investigated associations between shielding status and loneliness at the onset of the pandemic, with PA over time. Those shielding or lonely at pandemic onset were likely to have completed low levels of PA during the pandemic. These associations are influenced by co-morbidities and health status.
Coronavirus Infections-More Than Just the Common Cold Paules, Catharine I; Marston, Hilary D; Fauci, Anthony S
JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association,
02/2020, Letnik:
323, Številka:
8
Journal Article
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