Prolonged social isolation of the elderly during COVID-19: Between benefit and damage

Plagg, Barbara; Engl, Adolf; Piccoliori, Giuliano; Eisendle, Klaus

doi:10.1016/j.archger.2020.104086

Cited by 136 publications

(132 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Having casual sex in defiance of social-distancing regulations was associated with mental distress. Negative feelings of loneliness due to social isolation is thought to be one of the serious consequences of COVID-19, specifically among vulnerable populations, 23 and should be considered as a potential barrier to adherence to regulations among other vulnerable populations, such as MSM. Future public health responses in future waves of COVID morbidity should weigh the benefits of containment measures against the mental, social, and financial burdens that they may entail.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 and the Changes in the Sexual Behavior of Men Who Have Sex with Men: Results of an Online Survey

Shilo

Mor

2020

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

109

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Background: Social distancing in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may affect the sexual behavior of men who have sex with men (MSM). In early March 2020, Israel imposed travel restrictions and limited social contacts to household members only. The effects of these restrictions on the sexual behavior and mental health of MSM are unknown. Aim: To assess sexual behaviors and mental health of Israeli MSM during social distancing and to compare sexual behaviors before and during social distancing, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were collected through anonymous web-based questionnaires in a popular geospatial application used by MSM between March and April 2020 during the social-distancing period. Outcomes: The dependent variable was casual sex, in violation of social-distancing regulations. Independent variables were demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors before and during social-distancing restrictions, and mental health. Results: Of the 2,562 participants, 1,012 (39.5%) continued to meet new casual sex partners during this period. Being of a younger age, single, and with higher levels of mental distress predicted engagement in casual sex during the social-distancing period. MSM reduced their sexual risk and limited sexual repertoire-in particular, kissing with their sexual partners. Participants also spent more time in dating applications than in the preesocial-distancing period and increased their use of sex phone, webcams, and porn consumption. They perceived the threat of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus to be greater than that of HIV: only 3.2% could imagine themselves having sex with a partner who is infected with SARS-CoV-2 compared with 30.1% in case of HIV, P < .01. Clinical Implications: MSM reduced their risk behaviors during social distancing because of the threat of COVID-19. Casual sex during social distancing was associated with negative feelings of mental distress. Future public health response in the future waves of COVID-19 morbidity should strike a balance between containment measures and the need for social distancing with its possible mental and social burdens. Strengths and Limitations: This is the first study in Israel and one of the few in the world to examine sexual behaviors among MSM during the COVID-19 social distancing period. It involved a relatively large sample, through convenience sampling, which limits causality. Findings should be interpreted cautiously, specifically because COVID-19erelated behaviors and circumstances may change rapidly. Conclusion: The negative feelings of distress due to social distancing should be considered as a potential barrier to adherence among vulnerable populations, such as MSM. Future public health response should strike a balance between containment measures and its possible mental, social, and financial burdens.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 and the Changes in the Sexual Behavior of Men Who Have Sex with Men: Results of an Online Survey

Shilo

Mor

2020

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

109

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“…Quarantine increases emotional distress, reduces physical activity, and decreases mental stimulation. Furthermore, social isolation increases the risk of mortality [ 32 , 33 ], therefore, finding an equilibrium between controlling the spread of the epidemic, and decreasing the risk of secondary negative health effects in older adults is of paramount importance [ 34 , 35 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Income Level and Perception of Susceptibility and Severity of COVID-19 on Stay-at-Home Preventive Behavior in a Group of Older Adults in Mexico City

Irigoyen-Camacho

Velázquez-Alva

Zepeda-Zepeda

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Early information on public health behaviors adopted to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) may be useful in controlling the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. The objective of this study was to assess the role of income level (IL) and the perception of older adults, regarding COVID-19 susceptibility and severity, on adopting stay-at-home preventive behavior during the first week of the outbreak in Mexico. Participants in this cross-sectional study were urban community dwellers, aged ≥ 65 years from Mexico City. A total of 380 interviews were conducted over the phone. The mean respondent age was 72.9 years, and 76.1% were women. Over half (54.2%) of the participants perceived their susceptibility to COVID-19 as very low or low. Similarly, 33.4% perceived COVID-19 severity as being very low or low, and 57.6% had decided to stay at home: this behavior was associated with IL (β = 1.05, p < 0.001), and its total effect was partially mediated (15.1%) by perceived severity. Educational attainment was also associated with staying at home (β = 0.10, p = 0.018) and its total effect was partially mediated (15.0%) by perceived susceptibility. Interventions aimed at low income and less educated older adults should be developed to improve preventive behaviors in this vulnerable group during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“…31) A study including more than 5,000 men and women aged > 50 years found that loneliness was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (odds ratio = 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.57). 32) Plagg et al 33) suggested that decisions regarding the prolonged social isolation of older people should be made after considering short-term advantages and short-and long-term disadvantages. The disadvantages highlighted in this review include vascular and neurological diseases, premature mortality, cognitive impairment, risk of Alzheimer disease, emotional distress, anxiety, and acceleration of existing conditions.…”

Section: Effects Of Social Distancing and Isolation On Older Peoplementioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Health and Wellbeing of Older People: A Comprehensive Review

Lekamwasam

Lekamwasam²

2020

Ann Geriatr Med Res

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The current pandemic caused by the newly described severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread, with devastating effects on the functioning of society and the world economy. By June 4, 2020, 6,416,828 people had been infected, with 382,867 deaths worldwide. While new cases are declining in some countries in the European region, the disease continues to spread, almost unchanged, in the United States, and a steady increase in the number of infections in the African region has been reported. 1) The first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported in Wuhan in the Hubei province of China on December 12, 2019, the origin of which was traced to the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan; moreover, genomic studies confirmed that the causative organism to be of bat origin. 2) COVID-19 mainly spreads via droplets from saliva and nasal discharge of infected people, and its common symptoms include fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and vomiting. 3) COVID-19 is predominantly observed in young and middle-aged people with no significant sex difference. Most infections are either The pandemic is unavoidable; in addition to increased morbidity and mortality, they profoundly affect people and economies at every level. The negative effects of pandemics are more severe in marginalized populations such as older adults who have higher risks of acquiring infection, more disease-related complications, and increased risks of death. Furthermore, older people are affected by policy decisions and containment measures taken during pandemics. With rapid patient turnover and overwhelmed health care facilities, this older population may not receive proper medical care. In addition to poor clinical outcomes, such measures have profound negative effects on the mental health of older populations.

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Prolonged social isolation of the elderly during COVID-19: Between benefit and damage

Cited by 136 publications

References 5 publications

COVID-19 and the Changes in the Sexual Behavior of Men Who Have Sex with Men: Results of an Online Survey

COVID-19 and the Changes in the Sexual Behavior of Men Who Have Sex with Men: Results of an Online Survey

Effect of Income Level and Perception of Susceptibility and Severity of COVID-19 on Stay-at-Home Preventive Behavior in a Group of Older Adults in Mexico City

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Health and Wellbeing of Older People: A Comprehensive Review

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