A study on determinants of COVID-19 knowledge and preventive practices among Polish schools teachers

Abstract Background Sufficient knowledge and preventive practices are crucial to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. To date, some data regarding these issues have been reported among different professions, whereas such information is inaccessible in teachers. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted between May-June 2021 in 3 randomly selected Polish provinces, in 26 schools. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire which included 10 questions related to COVID-19 knowledge and 13 questions about preventive practices was used. Each correct answer to the question about COVID-19 knowledge was given 1 point and question about preventive practices was given 1 to 3 point (max. 11 and 39 points respectively). Bi- and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to identify the predictors of COVID-19 knowledge; simple/multiple linear regression analyses were done for factors associated with practices. Results 464 teachers were included (response rate was 55%), 92% females, mean age 45.6±10.2 years. The average COVID-19 knowledge score was 6.6±3.76 points; in 77% of teachers the knowledge level was >50%. The mean of preventive practices score was 15.8±1.78 points; 204 (55.1%, 95% CI 50.0% to 60.2%) respondents scored above the mean score of preventive practices. Wearing a mask (β: 0.09 95%CI 0.00-0.03), washing hands (β: 0.09 95%CI 0.00-0.02), avoiding crowds (β: 0.12 95%CI 0.01-0.07), and avoiding visiting relatives (β: 0.10 95%CI 0.00-0.07) were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with knowledge about COVID-19. Knowledge was the strongest predictor of avoiding crowds (β coefficient = 0.12). Conclusions Significant number of school teachers had inadequate COVID-19 knowledge and were poorly engaged in COVID-19 preventive practices. As knowledge level strongly influences adequate preventive behavior, additional educational intervention is urgently needed for teachers to help them better manage the pandemic at the school setting. Key messages • This study assessed COVID-19 knowledge and preventive practices, as well as related determinants among primary school teachers. • This study assessed the attitudes of primary school teachers towards the Covid-19 pandemic.


Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a crisis in the Israeli healthcare system. The wave-like morbidity created an overload of epidemiological investigations, which led to delays and less than successful efforts to prevent infection. For this reason, Israel decided to mobilize the military for this purpose, creating a forced cooperation between the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the IDF, an expert in dealing with crises. Aim: To examine the implications of the forced encounter between the IDF and the healthcare system, including both tensions and cooperation efforts. Methods: Twenty in-depth interviews were carried out with MOH and IDF personnel in different roles at various levels towards the end of the second pandemic wave in Israel.

Findings:
The findings present a dual picture of cooperation and mutual respect, side by side with contradictions and conflicts. The feeling that the IDF came in to 'save the day' placed the healthcare people in an inferior position. Clearly, there was no explicit plan for division of authority. It was clear to the healthcare staff that they have the authority as the professionals, and to the IDF people that they have it as the 'saviors' brought in for this purpose. The healthcare people did see the potential of the military force mobilized for this purpose, but felt they were asked for their opinion only initially, when the military personnel had to study the system. As soon as they became familiar with it, they were no longer asked for advice, and control was given to the IDF. The findings also show that the MOH's qualitative professional approach often clashed with the IDF's action-based approach.

Conclusions:
The military was mobilized as a crisis expert in order to assist the healthcare system in managing said crisis, but in fact this assistance had many side effects. Managing expectations, division of authority and open, sharing communication may have been useful in preventing the conflicts and managing them.

Key messages:
It is important to be aware of the a-symmetrical power relations of the military-healthcare system interface in order to create effective work and true, coherent cooperation.

Background:
The PSIC study (Prospective Study of Intensivists and COVID-19) monitored the intensivists working in one of the two COVID-19 hub hospitals in Central Italy over 2 years from April 2020. This study showed how mental health varies in relation to the stressors posed by the different pandemic phases.

Methods:
In 4 surveys corresponding to the 4 pandemic waves, the intensivists were invited to indicate changes in work activity and measure their state of mental health using standardized questionnaires administered via SurveyMonkey.

Results:
During the pandemic there was a change in occupational stressors that led to insomnia, anxiety, depression, burnout, job dissatisfaction, unhappiness and intention to quit. The predominant stressors in the first wave were fear of unprotected exposure, distrust of safety measures, and compassion fatigue from having to inform relatives of the adverse outcome of treatment. In the second and third waves the workload, the monotony due to always following only one type of patient, the isolation, and the lack of time to meditate were the more relevant factors. The fourth wave added the stress deriving from interacting with anti-vax patients Conclusions: Specific prevention strategies have been developed and applied for each of the stress factors identified. Excessive workload and lack of time for meditation originated from lack of staff were remedied with extraordinary temporary hires. The management of compassion fatigue and relations with anti-vax people were addressed with specific policies and training. The monotony and isolation in COVID-19 wards can only be resolved through employee turnover in ordinary departments.

Introduction:
Knowing predictors for adherence to governmental recommendations is fundamental to guiding health communication in pandemic situations. This study investigated whether political stringency was associated with students' adherence to the COVID-19 governmental measures in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden) and the United Kingdom (UK).

Methods:
We used data from a cross-sectional online survey, from university students in all Nordic countries and the UK (N = 10.345), in May 2020. Data on socio-demography, study information, living arrangements, health behaviors, stress, knowledge, and concern about COVID-19 infection supplemented with measures on political stringency from the Oxford Covid-19 Government Response Tracker were utilised. Multiple linear regression analysis methods were applied. Results: Around 66% reported that they followed governmental measures. Our model explained only 10% of the variation of adherence. The main predictors for adherence were older age, female sex, and being worried about the COVID-19 infection. More days since lockdown and political stringency were also associated with adherence to governmental recommendations in all countries. Sweden had the lowest willingness to adhere to governmental recommendations even though the strength of the association between political stringency and adherence was similar to other countries.

Conclusions:
Political stringency and congruent communication are important in ensuring adherence to governmental recommendations during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key messages:
Political stringency is important to ensure adherence to governmental recommendations. Congruent communication is important to ensure adherence to governmental recommendations. Covid-19 is a pandemic and an infodemic, with contrasting information regarding risk and preventive measures, including vaccination. This study aims to assess Vaccine Literacy (VL) of a sample of workers in the province of Prato (Tuscany, Italy) in the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic (November-December 2020) and to analyze the relationship between VL and attitudes about Covid-19 and flu vaccination. A crosssectional design was adopted. Sociodemographic characteristics, health information, vaccination behaviour for past and current flu season and intention to get vaccinated against Covid-19 were collected. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of getting a Covid-19/flu vaccination. The Italian Health Literacy tool on Vaccination (HLVa-IT) tool was used to measure VL. A total of 117