关键词： Meaning in life   meaning-making   Long Covid   chronic illness   epistemic injustice   HEALTH-CARE   ILLNESS   HOPE  

摘要： Long Covid (LC) has been called the greatest mass-disabling event in human history. For patients, LC not only has implications for quality of life but also for meaning in life: how one's life and the world are understood and what is seen as valuable in one's life. This qualitative empirical study used a Constructivist Grounded Theory approach to investigate the meaning in life of people struggling with LC through ten patient interviews. This study shows that patients lose their prior understanding of life and come to a changed meaning in life, in part due to the experienced (social) isolation and loss of (both physical and cognitive) abilities caused by LC. Moreover, patients struggled with acceptance, uncertainty, and the inherent incomprehensibility and uncontrollability that living with LC entails, though this simultaneously co-existed with hope, optimism and acceptance. Additionally, dimensions of meaning intersect; a patient having some understanding of their illness (dimension of meaning: comprehension) required an understanding Other (dimension of meaning: connection). Emerging from lockdown brought the challenge and isolation of adjusting to chronic illness in society as usual (albeit divided about COVID-19 measures). This study thus offers novel insights regarding changed, present, and sought meaning in life for LC patients.

关键词： Disease surveillance   spatial analysis   spatial statistics   web mapping   GIS  

摘要： The health and societal impacts of COVID-19 have created tremendous interest in the scientific community, resulting in interdisciplinary research teams that combine their expertise to provide new insights into the epidemic. However, spatial computation, exploratory data analysis, and spatial data exploration tools have yet to be integrated into these dashboards. We present a Spatial Online Analytical Platform that integrates spatial analysis tools that enable users to explore and learn more about spatial patterns of COVID-19. We present three interaction classes to support users needs. Our first class allows users to apply user-defined data classifications and custom map color choices. The second class applies a risk index across the time series, informing users of the recent temporal trends. The third class allows users to hypothesize about the presence of spatial clusters and receive results on demand. Our SOLAP platform supports the data analysis and exploration needs of big spatial-temporal data.

关键词： COVID-19   supply-chain-disruption   MSME-vulnerability   MSME-resilience   Huifen (Helen) Cai, Middlesex University Business School, United Kingdom   Supply Chain Management   Risk Management   Hazards & Disasters   BUSINESS RESILIENCE   ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION   ORGANIZATIONAL RESILIENCE   SMES   MANAGEMENT   DISASTERS   AGILITY   CRISIS   IMPACT   ERA  

摘要： The COVID-19 outbreak created a global public health crisis to which governments responded with several measures, including a lockdown on social and economic activities. This study assessed: (1) the supply chain disruptions caused by the lockdown, (2) the supply chain disruption effects on the performance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), (3) the resilient strategies (responses) MSMEs adopted to overcome the disruption challenges and (4) how the supply chain disruption affected the performance of MSMEs and how their responses varied across different MSME and supply chain characteristics. Using descriptive statistics and t-tests, the study found that the COVID-19 lockdown reduced the quantity, quality and order lead time of goods supplied. It also halted the supply of some other goods. Disruptions in the supply chain affected MSMEs' performance by reducing quantity, quality, variety of goods stocked, reliability to customers and customer base. MSMEs responded to the supply chain disruptions by changing their purchase arrangement, reducing the number of employees, increasing product prices, closing businesses temporarily and diversifying businesses supplying essential products such as foods and sanitary materials. Performance and responses of MSMEs varied depending on the age, size, location, registration status, product and industry.

关键词： COVID-19 booster vaccine   vaccine hesitancy   PSM analysis   urban-rural differences   China   CHINA  

摘要： During the COVID-19 pandemic, the vaccine hesitancy has significantly affected the vaccination. To evaluate the booster vaccine hesitancy and its influencing factors among urban and rural residents, as well as to estimate the net difference of booster vaccine hesitancy between urban and rural residents. We conducted a nationwide, cross-sectional Internet survey on 1-8 February 2023, and employed stratified random sampling technique to select participants (>= 18 years old) from urban and rural areas. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors impacting booster vaccine hesitancy. Propensity Score Matching was used to estimate the net difference of COVID-19 booster vaccine hesitancy between urban and rural residents. The overall COVID-19 booster vaccine hesitancy rate of residents was 28.43%. The COVID-19 booster vaccine hesitancy rate among urban residents was found to be 34.70%, among rural residents was 20.25%. Chronic diseases, infection status, vaccination benefits, and trust in vaccine developers were associated with booster vaccine hesitancy among urban residents. Barriers of vaccination were associated with booster vaccine hesitancy among rural residents. PSM analysis showed that the urban residents have a higher booster vaccine hesitancy rate than rural residents, with a net difference of 6.20%. The vaccine hesitancy rate increased significantly, and the urban residents have a higher COVID-19 booster vaccine hesitancy than rural residents. It becomes crucial to enhance the dissemination of information regarding the advantages of vaccination and foster greater trust among urban residents toward the healthcare system.

关键词： Ocular syphilis   alternative regimen   PLHIV   treatment outcomes   limited resources  

摘要： Background: The global shift in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic led to challenges in the care of people living with HIV. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study that aimed to delineate sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and outcomes, of people living with HIV diagnosed with ocular syphilis. Results: Fifty-three people living with HIV were identified with ocular syphilis. Thirty-eight (71.6%) presented ocular symptoms. Twenty-three (43.3%) underwent lumbar puncture, 5 (9.4%) were positive for neurosyphilis. Forty-seven (88.6%) received treatment, 32 (68%) received standard treatment with aqueous crystalline penicillin G, and 15 (31.9%) were treated with alternative regimens due to the impossibility of hospitalization. Six (11.3%) individuals were lost to follow-up and/or did not receive treatment. Eighteen (56.2%) out of 32 individuals in the aqueous crystalline penicillin G group experienced serological response, 5 (15.6%) experienced treatment failure, and 9 (28.1%) were lost to follow-up. In the alternative therapy group, 12 out of 15 individuals (80%) experienced serological response. One (6.7%) experienced treatment failure, and 2 (13.3%) were lost to follow-up. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 health emergency in Mexico, alternative treatments for ocular syphilis demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes amid challenges in accessing hospitalization.

关键词： Macroeconomic fluctuations   Indonesia stock exchange   sectoral stock price   vector autoregressive model   cointegration approach   Mazhar Abbas, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Bahawalpur, Pakistan   Monetary Economics   Development Economics   Financial Economics   EMPIRICAL-EVIDENCE   MONETARY   SENTIMENT   POLICIES   RETURNS  

摘要： Investors may find it challenging to invest due to economic fluctuations during COVID-19. This study aims to examine the relationship between economic fluctuations and the Indonesian sectoral stock market in the consumer goods sector (CGI), basic industrial and chemical sector (BIC), and miscellaneous industry (MSI), both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. The monthly time-series data used in the empirical approach cover the period from January 2008 to December 2020. The analysis used forecast error variance decomposition, vector autoregression, impulse response function analysis, and causality investigation. The econometric results showed that previous period shocks in each industrial sector stock market had a disadvantageous effect on future stock market earnings. Additionally, while the CGI stock market positively affects the Rupiah exchange rate, the MSI industrial sector is negatively impacted by inflationary pressures. Also connected to the MSI stock market are fluctuations in inflation. Conversely, the exchange rate affects MSI and CGI. Furthermore, for the CGI and BIC stock markets, a one-way causation relationship is observed. Another notable result was that all three industrial sectors responded positively when inflation and exchange rates were disrupted. It implies that, for convenience, investors will seek out other areas of the stock market. Therefore, a quick government response is needed to handle the economy during economic fluctuations accompanied by the COVID-19 pandemic so that it does not have an impact on the future.

关键词： Cost-based vaccination   COVID-19   willingness to pay   HEALTH   DETERMINANTS  

摘要： The primary objective of this paper is to serve as a valuable resource for policymakers who are confronted with the evolving landscape of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), considering both free and cost-based vaccination approaches. The potential consequences of shifting from free to cost-based vaccination are explored, encompassing its impact on global vaccine equity and prioritization, economic well-being, healthcare systems and delivery, public health policies, and vaccine distribution strategies. Examining past studies on willingness to pay for the initial COVID-19 vaccine dose and booster shots provides insights into how individuals value COVID-19 vaccinations and underscores the significance of addressing issues related to affordability. If COVID-19 vaccinations incur expenses, using effective communication strategies that emphasize the importance of vaccination and personal health benefits can increase willingness to pay. Making COVID-19 vaccines accessible through public health programs or health insurance can help alleviate financial barriers and increase vaccination rates.

关键词： COVID-19   clinical trials   vaccines   COVID-19 treatments   public health   health communication   AFRICAN-AMERICANS   VACCINE TRIAL   UNITED-STATES   ATTITUDES   BARRIERS   PATIENT   WILLINGNESS   RECRUITMENT   INFORMATION   KNOWLEDGE  

摘要： The COVID-19 pandemic required the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, necessitating quick yet representative clinical trial enrollment to evaluate these preventive measures. However, misinformation around the COVID-19 pandemic and general concerns about clinical trial participation in the U.S. hindered clinical trial enrollment. This study assessed awareness of, willingness to participate in, and enrollment in COVID-19 vaccine and treatment clinical trials in Texas. A quota sample of 1,089 Texas residents was collected online from June - July 2022. Respondents were asked if they were aware of, willing to participate in, and had enrolled in clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines or treatments. Overall, 45.8% of respondents reported being aware of clinical trials for COVID-19 treatments or vaccines, but only 21.7% knew how to enroll and only 13.2% had enrolled in a COVID-19 clinical trial. Respondents with bachelor's or graduate degrees were more likely to be aware of clinical trials, more likely to have enrolled in trials, and more willing to participate in treatment trials. Women were less willing to participate and less likely to have enrolled in COVID-19 clinical trials than men. Respondents aged 55 years and older were more willing to participate, but less likely to have enrolled in COVID-19 clinical trials than 18-to-24-year-olds. Common reasons given for not participating in clinical trials included concerns that COVID-19 treatments may not be safe, government distrust, and uncertainty about what clinical trial participation would entail. Substantial progress is needed to build community awareness and increase enrollment in clinical trials.

关键词： COVID-19   vaccine   solid cancer   MESSENGER-RNA VACCINE   IMMUNOGENICITY   EFFICACY   BNT162B2   ANTIBODIES   SAFETY   TUMORS  

摘要： Solid cancer patients, compared to their healthy counterparts, are at a greater risk of contracting and suffering from severe complications and poorer prognosis after COVID-19 infections. They also have different immune responses after doses of COVID-19 vaccination, but limited evidence is available to reveal the effectiveness and help to guide immunization programs for this subpopulation; MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library databases, and *** were used to search literature. The pooled seroconversion rate was calculated using a random-effects model and reported with a 95% confidence interval (CI); The review includes 66 studies containing serological responses after COVID-19 vaccination in 13,050 solid cancer patients and 8550 healthy controls. The pooled seropositive rates after the first dose in patients with solid cancer and healthy controls are 55.2% (95% CI 45.9%-64.5% N = 18) and 90.2% (95% CI 80.9%-96.6% N = 13), respectively. The seropositive rates after the second dose in patients with solid cancer and healthy controls are 87.6% (95% CI 84.1%-90.7% N = 50) and 98.9% (95% CI 97.6%-99.7% N = 35), respectively. The seropositive rates after the third dose in patients with solid cancer and healthy controls are 91.4% (95% CI 85.4%-95.9% N = 21) and 99.8% (95% CI 98.1%-100.0% N = 4), respectively. Subgroup analysis finds that study sample size, timing of antibody testing, and vaccine type have influence on the results; Seroconversion rates after COVID-19 vaccination are significantly lower in patients with solid malignancies, especially after the first dose, then shrinking gradually after the following two vaccinations, indicating that subsequent doses or a booster dose should be considered for the effectiveness of this subpopulation.