Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted various parts of society, including Japanese children with allergies.
Objective: This study investigated risk factors for pediatric allergic diseases associated with the state of emergency owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, including during school closures.
Methods: Parents of pediatric patients (0-15 years) with allergies were enrolled and queried regarding the impact of school closure on pediatric allergies compared to that before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results: A valid response was obtained from 2302 parents; 1740 of them had children with food allergies. Approximately 4% (62/1740) of the parents reported accidental food allergen ingestion was increased compared to that before the COVID-19 pandemic. Accidental ingestion during school closures was associated with increased contact with meals containing allergens meant for siblings or other members of the family at home. The exacerbation rate during the pandemic was highest for atopic dermatitis at 13% (127/976), followed by allergic rhinitis at 8% (58/697), and bronchial asthma at 4% (27/757). The main risk factors for worsening atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and bronchial asthma were contact dermatitis of the mask area (34/120 total comments); home allergens, such as mites, dogs, and cats (15/51 total comments); and seasonal changes (6/25 total comments), respectively.
Conclusion: The main factors affecting allergic diseases were likely related to increased time at home, preventive measures against COVID-19, and refraining from doctor visits. Children with allergies were affected by changes in social conditions; however, some factors, such as preventing accidental ingestion and the management of allergens at home, were similar to those before the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients who had received instructions on allergen avoidance at home before the pandemic were able to manage their disease better even when their social conditions changed.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10516313 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.5415/apallergy.0000000000000116 | DOI Listing |
While maternal mortality decreased during the Millennium Development Goals era, it remains unacceptably high, with stagnation in reductions possible due to shocks such as COVID-19. Most women in low- and middle-income countries already receive antenatal care and over half give birth in health facilities. In cities, use of health facilities for childbirth is near universal (>90%).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpidemiol Psychiatr Sci
January 2025
Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Aims: Although individuals with lower socio-economic position (SEP) have a higher prevalence of mental health problems than others, there is no conclusive evidence on whether mental healthcare (MHC) is provided equitably. We investigated inequalities in MHC use among adults in Stockholm County (Sweden), and whether inequalities were moderated by self-reported psychological distress.
Methods: MHC use was examined in 31,433 individuals aged 18-64 years over a 6-month follow-up period, after responding to the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) in 2014 or the Kessler Six (K6) in 2021.
Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med
December 2024
School of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town.
Background: Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uses antiretroviral medication to reduce HIV risk in HIV-negative individuals. Despite its effectiveness, global uptake faces policy and accessibility challenges. In Eswatini, PrEP introduction in 2017 showed promise despite stigma and COVID-19 disruptions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAppl Econ Lett
September 2023
Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (Wiiw), Vienna, Austria.
This paper analyses whether government spending for social protection contributed more to counteracting the COVID-19 crisis than in previous episodes. Based on data for 27 EU countries over 1995-2021, we find that social spending is countercyclical and contributed to stabilization during the pandemic. However, we do not find evidence that overall social spending during 2020-2021 was more countercyclical then before.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRheumatol Adv Pract
December 2024
Rheumatology Department, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
Objectives: Physical function in RA is largely influenced by multiple clinical factors, however, there is a growing body of evidence that psychological state and other comorbidities also play an essential role. Using data obtained in the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases study, an international self-reported e-survey, we aimed to explore the predictive ability of sociodemographic and clinical variables on Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Short Form 10a (PROMIS PF-10a) in RA and to investigate variation in disease activity and functional outcomes based on country-level socio-economic parameters.
Methods: Patient demographics, disease characteristics including current symptom status, functional status and treatment variables, as well as income level of the country of residence, were extracted from survey responses.
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!