Prevalence and correlates of forgone care among adult Israeli Jews: A survey conducted during the COVID-19 outbreak (original) (raw)
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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
Minority groups are especially vulnerable to the negative psychological and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study focused on one prominent minority group in Israel: ultra-Orthodox Jews. It examined the rate of exposure to COVID-19, adherence to COVID-19 mitigation guidelines, difficulties with adherence to COVID-19 guidelines, COVID-related concerns, financial hardships, the need for help, and microaggression during the first wave of the pandemic (April–May 2020). It then examined multivariate prediction of COVID-related concerns, the need for help, and microaggression. The sample comprised 252 respondents, with 67% female and a mean age of 32.85 (SD = 10.63). Results showed that 78.8% of the participants knew at least one person who had tested positive for COVID-19, and 31.4% knew at least one person who had passed away from COVID-19. Only 59.7% of the participants reported high adherence to social distancing guidelines. Perceived microaggression was predicted ...
BMC Health Services Research, 2024
Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted healthcare systems throughout the world. Many patients faced delays and cancellation of care due to scaled back services, mobility restrictions, and concerns related to the risk of infection. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of and risk factors associated with the avoidance or delay of medical care due to COVID-19 in Armenia. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey of 3,483 adults across Armenia. We used stratified two-stage cluster sampling to select the participants from different age groups proportionate to their size in the population. Logistic regression analysis assessed the association of risk factors with avoidance/delay of routine, urgent/emergency, and any medical care. Results The mean age of the sample was 49.5 (SD = 14.8), ranging from 18 to 90. About 9.9% of the respondents avoided/delayed any type of medical care; whereas 5.5% avoided/delayed urgent/emergency care and 6.6% routine care. In the adjusted analysis, female gender and higher monthly expenditures were associated with avoidance/ delay of routine medical care. Factors associated with delay/avoidance of urgent/emergency care included female gender and higher perceived threat of COVID-19. Younger age, female gender, higher perceived threat and not being vaccinated against COVID-19 were associated with avoidance/delay of any medical care in the adjusted analysis. Conclusion Since avoiding or delaying care might increase morbidity and mortality associated with conditions not related to COVID-19, identifying population groups that are more likely to avoid care is important. Targeting such groups with educational interventions focusing on the risks of using versus not using medical care in times of
Proceedings of the COVid-19 Empirical Research (COVER) Conference: Italy, October 30th, 2020, 2022
The management of the COVID-19 pandemic involves the interaction and collaboration of three key players: the citizens, policy and decision makers and the healthcare system. The main goal is to find the fragile balance between keeping an open society, a working economy and saving lives. SARS-COV-2 is known to be highly contagious, with a potential for severe health complications, especially in the elderly. In this paper we analyze changes in Israel, in health outcomes and citizen behavior, from the initial stages of the pandemic (March 2020) until the beginning of mass vaccination (December 2021). This perspective includes the impact of government’s policies (lockdowns and re-openings) on levels of morbidity. We used official national health data and Google Mobility data to examine these changes. Several models are used to analyze their mutual effects. Results show that public behavior changed over time to a lesser degree than health related data. The implications to policy formulati...
Systematic Reviews in Pharmacy, 2020
Background: Seeking medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic became a controversial issue due to increased vulnerability and fear of being infected (COVID-19). There is a lack of empirical evidence about factors associated with avoiding medical visits during the first wave of the pandemic in KSA. Therefore, this study aims to determine the rate of avoiding medical visits and associated factors during the first wave of the pandemic in KSA. Methods: 754 participants from various KSA regions responded to an online survey questionnaire that collected data on background variables, testing and diagnosis with COVID-19, chronic medical conditions, and presence of symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to assess the predictive role of various factors in avoiding medical care. Results: More than half (55%) of the participants avoided medical visits during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic due to fear of catching the infection. ...
Comprehensive Psychiatry, 2023
Introduction: Contemporary evidence notes the COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted the utilization of physical and mental health services worldwide. The present study was therefore designed to evaluate the changes in the utilization of mental health services during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous years as well as to estimate the moderating role age had on these changes. Materials and methods: Psychiatric data was collected from n = 928,044 individuals living in Israel. Rates of receipt of psychiatric diagnoses and purchases of psychotropic medication were extracted for the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and for two comparison years. The odds of receiving a diagnosis or of purchasing a psychotropic medication during the pandemic were compared to control years using uncontrolled logistic regression models and controlled and logistic regression that accounted for differences between ages. Results: There was a general reduction of about 3-17% in the odds of receiving a psychiatric diagnosis or purchasing psychotropic medications during the pandemic year compared to control years. The bulk of tests conducted showed that reduction in the rates of receiving diagnoses and purchasing medications during the pandemic were evident or more profound in the older age groups. An analysis of a combined measure conclusive of all other measures revealed decreased rates of utilizing any service examined during 2020, with rates decreasing as age increases up to a decrease of 25% in the oldest age group (80-96). Discussion and conclusion: Changes in utilization of mental health services reveal the interplay between psychological distress that has been documented to increase during the pandemic and people's reluctance to seek professional assistance. This appears to be especially prominent among the vulnerable elderly, who may have received even less professional help for their emerging distress. The results obtained in Israel are likely to be replicated in other countries as well, given the global impact of the pandemic on adults' mental health and individuals' readiness to utilize mental healthcare services. Future research on the long-term impact of the pandemic on utilization of mental healthcare services is warranted, with an emphasis on the response of different populations to emergency situations.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health emergency that could severely impact mental health. Fear of COVID-19 or its risk perceptions is strongly associated with COVID-19 preventive behaviors. This study aimed to examine the associations between the anxiety of COVID-19 and preventive behaviors among People in the Gaza Strip. The sample consists of 682 participants. A cross-sectional online survey design was used; all participants completed the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and preventive behavior scale. The required data were collected and analyzed. The mean fear of COVID-19 score was 2.51 (SD = 0.83, range: 7-35), while the mean score for preventive behavior was 2.48 (SD = 0.38, range: 3-30). Besides, results showed participants from the North Gaza governorates and those with low educated levels had the highest level of fear of COVID-19. In contrast, females and highly educated participants were more likely to engage in preventive behaviors than other participants. Our findings show no significant associations between fear of COVID-19 and adherence to preventive behaviors. It is essential to continue monitoring the psychological reactions of people during the outbreak.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress and emotional reactions in Israel: a mixed-methods study
2020
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact worldwide. This study sought to assess the pandemic's psychological impact on the Israeli public. Methods: Using mixed methods we assessed Israeli adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. In the quantitative study, participants (N=1407) completed an online battery of measures assessing psychological variables and perceived threat related to COVID-19. Statistical analyses included tests for between-group differences and Pearson correlations. The qualitative study entailed in-depth, semistructured interviews conducted by telephone (N=38). Results: The quantitative findings indicate that about 48% of the public had negative emotional reactions and 20% perceived they were liable to contract the virus. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between these feelings and the degree of perceived threat. Three major themes emerged from the qualitative study: 1) a sense of shock and chaos; 2) gradual adjustment to the new reality; and 3) fears and concerns for self and family members. The study's results revealed the following sources of participants' emotional responses and sense of threat: health concerns regarding themselves and their loved ones; employment concerns; problems with children and spouses caused by being together at home; and difficulties entailed in working at home. Conclusions: The study reveals many of the psychological variables and perceived threats related to COVID-19 in Israel. While social distancing may make people feel safer, it can also increase their feelings of isolation, stress and frustration and cause difficulties in many life situations. The findings point to the necessity of addressing the public's perceived susceptibility and emotional reactions about COVID-19.
Global Health Promotion, 2024
This study sought to examine gender differences in emotional reactions and compliance with Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, with the goal of gaining a deeper understanding of these gender-related variations throughout the lockdown periods. A longitudinal study comprising 2509 participants was conducted during two of Israel’s lockdowns: 1424 participants completed a questionnaire during the first lockdown (23 April–5 May 2020); of these, 1085 completed a follow-up questionnaire during the second lockdown (September 30–October 10, 2020). Participants exhibited higher levels of compliance with MOH guidelines (e.g., wearing face masks, maintaining social distancing) and knowledge about COVID-19 during the second lockdown, whereas they exhibited more negative emotional reactions during the first lockdown. Female participants scored higher than male participants on all measures. Multiple regression results showed that about 21% of the variance in compliance with MOH guidelines was explained by lockdown type (i.e., first or second), gender, and age, while knowledge and negative emotional reactions added another 19% to the explained variance. The results suggest that the impact of the pandemic on emotional reactions decreased over time, with people exhibiting greater compliance with MOH guidelines and more knowledge about COVID-19. Moreover, the behavioral and psychological impact of the pandemic was greater on women than on men. The results suggest that healthcare professionals should pay more attention to mental health issues during a pandemic. Moreover, policymakers should focus on women as a vulnerable group and suggest appropriate solutions to reduce their emotional distress. Furthermore, governments and employers should provide greater flexibility and support for single mothers during the pandemic. In addition, gender inequality during lockdowns may place women at greater risk of psychological distress.
Contemporary Jewry
The current paper focuses on the circumstances that have led to the high COVID-19 infection rates amongst the ultra-Orthodox population in Israel. The current study utilizes a qualitative design and is based on in-depth interviews, email correspondence and online records of 25 ultra-Orthodox individuals who either tested positive for COVID-19 or had contact with a verified COVID-19 patient. The data were analyzed through identification of main themes and an interpretation of their meanings. The findings showed that a wide range of causes led to the high infection rate, including aspects that derive from a structural element, a religious element and a social-ideological element-all of which are directly or indirectly connected to religion. These findings demonstrate the central role of religion in health outcomes among the ultra-Orthodox community in general and during pandemics in particular, and they shed light on the central role of religion in health outcomes among closed-religious communities. The findings further reveal the importance of cooperation between the state authorities and the religious ones, and of providing culturally adapted health service solutions in the fight against COVID-19 and promoting health more generally. Study limitations are discussed and recommendations for future research are provided.
Do Individuals Rationally Utilize Healthcare Services? Evidence from the Global Covid-19 Pandemic
Erciyes Akademi, 2022
Up to the date of the study, approximately 6.4 million people worldwide died due to Covid-19. In this process, individuals changed their daily life routines due to reasons such as the high contagiousness of the disease, the high number of deaths and the increasing rate of the disease, and ignorance about the disease. Even in periods when there were no restrictions or prohibitions, individuals did not continue their behavior under normal conditions. One of these changes has emerged in the health service demands of individuals. After the onset of the disease, hospital admission rates decreased significantly. In this context, the study aims to analyze the change in people's health care demands during the Covid-19 Pandemic period. Archival data of the number of patient admissions from the secondary and tertiary health institutions in the center of Sivas between 01.09.2019 - 11.03.2021 was used and the changes in the health demand according to gender, age, health insurance/payment, and the departments were analyzed periodically. In the period September 2020 - March 2021, total hospital admissions (excluding suspected Covid-19 and departments requiring mandatory treatment such as oncology, etc…) were approximately 46% lower than the total number of hospital admissions between September 2019 - March 2020. When the "child emergency" applications are evaluated for the same periods, a decrease of 66% can be seen. Such a significant decrease causes us to question the rational behavior of individuals in health care demands under normal conditions. If it is thought that it is not rational behavior, important steps should be taken about the use of healthcare services by individuals. The education of individuals on this issue plays a key role.