The family can be a background of health crises and – at the same time – the greatest source of support for a child. It plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of disorders and increasing the psychological immunity of teenagers. The article presents a number of threats to the mental health of young people, derived from different research. Its main goal is to present the importance of the support system for parents and families in protection of children's mental health. Against this background, some parental errors and deficiencies are analysed as the reasons for ignoring the first symptoms of a child's crisis. Support for the youth and their families should be provided not only from parents but also from teachers, pedagogues and their wider social environment. Many institutions, including medical staff, schools, governmental and non-governmental organisations may effectively support parents and caregivers in prevention and intervention in a situation of mental crisis. The article discusses the determinants of effective help for families experiencing mental health crises of children.
Aim. Our task was to examine the relationship between the SARS–CoV–2 arrival and the number of confi rmed COVID–19 cases in the fi rst wave (period from March 4 to May 22, 2020 (unoffi cial data)), and socio–economic variables at the powiat (county) level.Methods. We were using simple statistical techniques such as data visualisation, correlation analysis, spatial clustering and multiple linear regression.Results. We showed that immigration and the logarithm of general mobility was the best predictor of SARS–CoV–2 arrival times, while emigration, industrialisation and air quality explain most of the size of the epidemic in poviats. On the other hand, infection dynamics is driven to a lesser extent by previously postulated variables such as population size and density, income or the size of the elderly population.Conclusions. Our analyses could support Polish authorities in preparation for the second wave of infections and optimal management of resources as we have provided a proposition of optimal distribution of human resources between poviats. Although this isa retrospective analysis of the initial phase of the epidemic, similar patterns could repeat in case of new variants of SARS–CoV–2 or new respiratory disease for immunologically naive populations.
Aim. The main goal of the article is to obtain a socio-medical picture of COVID-19 pandemic from Polish Internet memes. Memes are part of a collective memory and could help one understand the ongoing social processes during the pandemic.
Methodology. We perform qualitative analysis of the selected memes shared on the Polish Internet. Among over 2000 gathered memes, 25 examples of memes were dedicated to #stayathome phase (18 March 2020 until 7 April 2020).
Results. We have distinguished three main topics, areas and functions: uncertainty and anxiety in everyday life; managing isolation and making sense of the safety measures; building support community and solidarity with medical staff. We found a relatively high number of supportive, pro-health memes during the stay-at-home phase in comparison to prepandemic era as well as other phases of the pandemic.
Conclusions. Memes go beyond the humorous function, as they also carry new information and give context to new situations or events. Thus, memospheres should be monitored and used in public health awareness campaigns helping people who are coping with uncertainty, facilitating the internalization process of acceptance as well as promoting help-giving attitudes. Memes could be utilised as health communication techniques to influence Internet users.
Recently, the whole of Europe, including Poland, have been significantly affected by COVID-19 and its social and economic consequences which are already causing dozens of billions of euros monthly losses in Poland alone. Social behaviour has a fundamental impact on the dynamics of the spread of infectious diseases such as SARS-CoV-2, challenging the existing health infrastructure and social organization. Modelling and understanding mechanisms of social behaviour (e.g. panic and social distancing) and its contextualization with regard to Poland can contribute to better response to the outbreak on a national and local level. In the presented study we aim to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 on society by: (i) measuring the relevant activity in internet news and social media; (ii) analysing attitudes and demographic patterns in Poland. In the end, we are going to implement computational social science and digital epidemiology research approach to provide urgently needed information on social dynamics during the outbreak. This study is an ad hoc reaction only, and our goal is to signal the main areas of possible research to be done in the future and cover issues with direct or indirect relation to public health.
Introduction. This study examines the relationship between social values and the control of the COVID-19 pandemic in selected European countries during the early months of 2020.
Methods. Utilizing epidemiological data, including starting and controlled reproduction rates (R(t)), and social values' dimensions based on Schwartz's framework, we uncover significant associations by linear regressions.
Results. Our findings reveal that highly hierarchical societies with a strong focus on maximising individual utility (affective autonomy) are less successful in controlling the spread of the virus. Conversely, societies with interconnected (embedded) structures appear to be more effective in disease control. Our discussion acknowledges the complexity of distinguishing between natural disease patterns and control efforts. Interactive dashboard is available: https://infodemia-koronawirusa.shinyapps.io/culture/
Conclusions. This study underscores the substantial influence of social values on disease control in Europe. It emphasises the need to consider social contexts when evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation strategies on an international scale. While recognising the potential role of confounding variables such as healthcare capacity, our research suggests that analysing outbreak dynamics across countries can provide insights into not only why some nations fare better but also how to combat future disease spread effectively.
Aim. Long-COVID syndrome is still under broad investigation. It is known, however, that the consequences of COVID-19 disease can permanently affect the health and quality of life of patients in many respects. For this reason, monitoring parameters in patients who are still experiencing symptoms is an extremely serious task for medicine. It is possible with the use of telehealth paradigm, which helps to provide long-term care. The use of wearable medical devices that record certain vital parameters (e.g., Aidmed) can ensure that the patient is under constant surveillance after an infection. For this reason, the development and introduction of nationwide telemonitoring and telerehabilitation programs for the long-COVID patients seems to be a key solution.
Methods. The main goal of this analysis, which involved 373 patients, is to present practical experiences and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the use of remote diagnostic tools in patients with long-COVID syndrome. The analysis based on a multicentre study in Poland focuses on the technological and social aspects of Aidmed telehealth system. The results were obtained on the basis of the deliberative reflection method, conducted by a multidisciplinary team: 2 medical sociologists, 1 epidemiologist, 2 biomedical students (secretary roles in the projects), 2 computer scientists and 2 medical doctors.
Results. The analysis showed that the use of telemedicine tools is quicker and allows to obtain more accurate diagnostic data (strengths). It is also inclusive and educational in relation to the excluded groups of patients (opportunities). However, it may lead to limitation of contacts between the doctor and the patient (threats) and limited access due to high costs and time investments (weaknesses).
Conclusions. Remote home monitoring and telerehabilitation of patients with long-COVID syndrome has the potential to reduce the burden of disease and prevent overloading of the healthcare system. Therefore, it should be widely used. However, we need to learn how to implement it correctly. Our recommendations are: 1) technology should be inclusive in both e-literacy and health literacy; 2) solutions must be as simple as possible for an end user; 3) the entire process requires efficient logistics facilities.
