Dataset Information

Cross-sectional analysis to explore the awareness, attitudes and actions of UK adults at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on people identified as at high risk of severe illness by UK government, and in particular, the impact of lockdown on access to healthcare, medications and use of technological platforms.

Design

Online survey methodology.

Setting

UK.

Participants

1038 UK adults were recruited who were either identified by UK government as at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or self-identified as at high risk with acute or other chronic health conditions not included in the UK government list. Participants were recruited through social media advertisements, health charities and patient organisations.

Main outcomes measures

The awareness, attitudes and actions survey which explores the impact of COVID-19, on including access to healthcare, use of technology for health condition management, mental health, depression, well-being and lifestyle behaviours.

Results

Nearly half of the sample (44.5%) reported that their mental health had worsened during the COVID-19 lockdown. Management of health conditions changed including access to medications (28.5%) and delayed surgery (11.9%), with nearly half of the sample using telephone care (45.5%). Artificial Intelligence identified that participants in the negative cluster had higher neuroticism, insecurity and negative sentiment. Participants in this cluster reported more negative impacts on lifestyle behaviours, higher depression and lower well-being, alongside lower satisfaction with platforms to deliver healthcare.

Conclusions

This study provides novel evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on people identified as at high risk of severe illness. These findings should be considered by policy-makers and healthcare professionals to avoid unintended consequences of continued restrictions and future pandemic responses.

SUBMITTER: Flint SW

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7778740 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Cross-sectional analysis to explore the awareness, attitudes and actions of UK adults at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Flint Stuart W SW Brown Adrian A Tahrani Abd A AA Piotrkowicz Alicja A Joseph Anny-Claude AC

BMJ open 20201229 12

<h4>Objectives</h4>This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on people identified as at high risk of severe illness by UK government, and in particular, the impact of lockdown on access to healthcare, medications and use of technological platforms.<h4>Design</h4>Online survey methodology.<h4>Setting</h4>UK.<h4>Participants</h4>1038 UK adults were recruited who were either identified by UK government as at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or self-identified as at high risk with acute or ...[more]

PMID: 33376185

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Project description:BackgroundPeople at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 have experienced greater restrictions during the pandemic, yet there is a paucity of research exploring their lived experience.ObjectivesThis study explored the impact of COVID-19 on people identified as at high risk of severe illness by UK Government, and in particular, the impact of the first lockdown on access to healthcare, medications and use of technological platforms.Methods1038 UK adults who identified as at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 in line with UK Government guidance or self-identified with acute or other chronic health conditions, completed the Awareness, Attitudes and Actions survey which explored the impact of COVID-19 on access to healthcare, management of long-term health condition, mental health, and health behaviours.ResultsMost participants reported feelings of vulnerability, anxiety and isolation, noticed that other people changed their behaviour towards them including a feeling of being stigmatised by people not categorised as high risk. Participants described the largely negative impact that the COVID-19 lockdown had on to health-related behaviours and access to healthcare, which had resulted in large declines in mental health and wellbeing. Participants also indicated disappointment at the UK Governments response and handling of the COVID-19 lockdown.ImplicationsThis study provides novel evidence of the lived experience of the first COVID-19 lockdown for people identified as at high risk of severe illness. In the context of behavioural health interventions, the ubiquity of digital technologies and their adoption into day-to-day life translates into greater potential reach than traditional interventions, and consequently, greater potential for positive public health impact. Findings should be considered by policymakers and healthcare professionals to support people now and as we transition through the recovery phase with a particular emphasis on supporting mental health and changes to the management of long-term health conditions.

Project description:BackgroundIn the emerging era of digitalization and electronic health, skin cancer-related apps represent useful tools to support dermatologic consultation and examination. Yet, little is known about how patients perceive the value of such apps.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate patient attitudes and their awareness toward skin cancer-related apps.MethodsA cross-sectional study including 200 patients from the oncological outpatient unit was conducted at the University Hospital (LMU Munich, Germany) between September and December 2018. Patients were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire on the popularity and usefulness of health-related and skin cancer-related apps. A descriptive analysis was performed with the expression of categorical variables as frequencies and percentages. For continuous variables, the median and range were indicated. Contingency tables and chi-square tests were performed to investigate associations between sociodemographic data and selected items of the questionnaire.ResultsA total of 98.9% (195/197) of patients had never used skin cancer-related apps or could not remember. In 49.7% (93/187) of cases, patients were unsure about the usefulness of skin cancer apps, whereas 42.6% (78/183) thought that skin cancer apps could supplement or support the professional skin examination performed by a physician. However, 47.9% (90/188) were interested in acquiring more information by their dermatologists about skin cancer apps. Young age (P=.002), male gender (P=.02), a previous history of melanoma (P=.004), and higher educational level (P=.002) were significantly associated with a positive attitude. Nevertheless, 55.9% (105/188) preferred a printed patient brochure on skin cancer to downloading and using an app.ConclusionsThe experience and knowledge of skin cancer-related apps was surprisingly low in this population, although there was a high general interest in more information about such apps. Printed patient brochures were the preferred information source.

Project description:ObjectiveAssess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of a diverse population. Identify barriers and facilitators that inform routine vitamin D supplementation and self-care in the community setting.DesignCross-sectional online voluntary survey. Electronic survey link published on college Qualtrics platform and advertised widely. Study information provided with Participant Information Sheet.Setting and participants556 community dwelling adults across the UK.MethodsThe overarching study included two phases, incorporating quantitative and qualitative methodologies. This paper reports findings from the first phase of the FABCOM-D (Facilitators and Barriers to Community (Healthy) Vitamin D status) study. Online survey questions were iteratively developed after background literature searches and piloted to ensure clarity and ease of understanding. Survey responses summarised using frequencies and percentages, and univariable and multivariable logistic regression models explored for any association. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys guided reporting. Statistical analysis performed using IBM SPSS software.Main outcome measuresAwareness of vitamin D information sources, health benefits and testing. Attitudes to supplementation, sun exposure and fortification.ResultsThree quarters of the community had some awareness of vitamin D and around half were taking supplements. The two most trusted sources of information included health professionals and the NHS website. Participants were willing to pay for supplements, supporting a self-care agenda. With increasing age, there was significant reduced intake of vitamin D supplements. This aspect needs to be explored further as this could be a concern in deficiency status in the elderly. There was acceptance of food fortification but uncertainty on how to balance food intake with supplementation.ConclusionWe were successful in eliciting views on KAPs around vitamin D from a community population including a large proportion of Black and Minority Ethnic individuals. The community wanted information and guidance to help manage individual vitamin D status, especially for high-risk groups, and on balancing supplementation, food fortification and sun exposure.

Project description:BackgroundSome older persons develop a persistent death wish without being severely ill, often referred to as "completed life" or "tiredness of life". In the Netherlands and Belgium, the question whether these persons should have legal options for euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide (EAS) is intensely debated. Our main aim was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of older adults with a persistent death wish without severe illness, as the lack of this knowledge is a crucial problem in de debate.MethodsWe conducted a survey among a representative sample of 32,477 Dutch citizens aged 55+, comprising questions about health, existential issues and the nature of the death wish. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the group with a persistent death wish and no severe illness (PDW-NSI) and several subgroups.ResultsA total of 21,294 respondents completed the questionnaire (response rate 65.6%). We identified 267 respondents (1.25%) as having a persistent death wish and no severe illness (PDW-NSI). PDW-NSI did not only occur among the oldest old. Although qualifying themselves as "not severely ill", those with PDW-NSI reported considerable health problems. A substantial minority of the PDW-NSI-group reported having had a death wish their whole lives. Within the group PDW-NSI 155 (0.73%) respondents had an active death wish, of which 36 (0.17% of the total response) reported a wish to actually end their lives. Thus, a death wish did not always equal a wish to actually end one's life. Moreover, the death wishes were often ambiguous. For example, almost half of the PDW-NSI-group (49.1%) indicated finding life worthwhile at this moment.ConclusionsThe identified characteristics challenge the dominant "completed life" or "tiredness of life" image of healthy persons over the age of 75 who, overseeing their lives, reasonably decide they would prefer to die. The results also show that death wishes without severe illness are often ambiguous and do not necessarily signify a wish to end one's life. It is of great importance to acknowledge these nuances and variety in the debate and in clinical practice, to be able to adequately recognize the persons involved and tailor to their needs.

Project description:ObjectiveThe study examined how refugees in Pakistan who accessed e-health clinics to get sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care perceived and used contraception. The prevalence, attitudes and variables affecting the adoption or non-adoption of contraceptives were the intended outcomes. The study additionally investigated how frequently refugee women used these clinics and how satisfied they were with the way telemedicine met their SRH needs.DesignAn observational cross-sectional methodology was used in this study to observe SRH-related telemedicine consultations. The study was conducted from 17 April 2024 to 31 May 2024.SettingThe data collection was done using a survey instrument and it was preserved in the organisation's electronic health record. The investigation was conducted at nine Sehat Kahani e-health clinics, four in Balochistan and five in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.ParticipantsThe study enrolled 576 women who were refugees; they were recruited after they attended Sehat Kahani e-health clinics for SRH services and gave their consent to participate.ResultsThe study reported that refugee women visiting e-health clinics used contraception at a significant rate (68.1%). The majority (71.4%) of women rely on partners for family planning decisions. The primary reasons for using contraception were child spacing (33.2%) and preventing unintended pregnancy (31.1%). Housewives and those with an income of 20 000-40 000 Pakistan rupees (PKR) were more likely to use contraception. Women with limited access to SRH services, as well as those whose spouses make healthcare decisions, were less likely to use them.ConclusionWomen seeking refugee status who visited Sehat Kahani e-clinics depend substantially on contraception, with a preference for shorter-term options. Consumption of contraceptives was enhanced by collaborative decision-making and availability of SRH services, while it was hampered by a lack of education and healthcare control by husbands. Improving SRH outcomes for remote refugees confronting cultural hurdles is possible through telemedicine by overcoming these gaps.

Project description:BackgroundDegenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a progressive neurological condition, characterized by spinal cord injury secondary to degenerative changes in the spine. Misdiagnosis in primary care forms part of a complex picture leading to an average diagnostic delay of 2 years. This leads to potentially preventable and permanent disability. A lack of awareness secondary to deficits in postgraduate education may contribute to these delays.ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the awareness of DCM in the setting of general practice.MethodsGeneral practitioners completed a quantitative web-based cross-sectional questionnaire. The 17-item questionnaire captured data regarding demographics, subjective awareness, and objective knowledge. The questionnaire was disseminated via professional networks, including via practice managers and senior practice partners. Incentivization was provided via a bespoke DCM fact sheet for those that completed the survey.ResultsA total of 54 general practitioners representing all 4 UK nations responded to the survey. General practitioners most commonly self-assessed that they had "limited awareness" of DCM (n=24, 51%). General practitioners felt most commonly "moderately able" to recognize a case of DCM (n=21, 46%). In total, 13% (n=6) of respondents reported that they would not be at all able to recognize a patient with DCM. Respondents most commonly reported that they were "moderately confident" in their ability to triage a patient with DCM (n=19, 41%). A quarter of respondents reported no prior introduction to DCM throughout their medical training (n=13, 25%). The mean score for knowledge-based questions was 42.6% (SD 3.96%) with the lowest performance observed in patient demographic and clinical recognition items.ConclusionsGeneral practitioners lack confidence in the recognition and management of DCM. These findings are consistent with the diagnostic delays previously described in the literature at the primary care level. Further work to develop and implement educational interventions to general practitioner practices is a crucial step to improving patient outcomes in DCM.

Dataset Information

Cross-sectional analysis to explore the awareness, attitudes and actions of UK adults at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Objectives

Design

Setting

Participants

Main outcomes measures

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Cross-sectional analysis to explore the awareness, attitudes and actions of UK adults at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Similar Datasets

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