Search

Background: At the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic authors in several countries reported the possibility of predicting disease outbreaks using internet analysis and search tools like GoogleTrends™. Our aim was to investigate the impact of changes in COVID-19 symptomatology and pandemic intensity on those predictions. Material and methods: GoogleTrends™ was utilized to track online searches for COVID-19 symptoms in Poland during two years of the pandemic. Search volumes were then assessed for correlation with daily cases in each wave of infection separately. Results: The symptoms that correlated strongly with new cases were anosmia and ageusia (Spearman's rho = 0.5230 and rho = 0.4483 respectively, p < 0.01). Searches for these symptoms preceded an outbreak by 12 days during the first wave of infections, but this gap was later shortened to five days. The frequency of searching for these symptoms markedly diminished during the last phase and was no longer adequate. Stronger correlations were then shown for fever, sore throat, and headache. Conclusions: In conclusion, COVID-19 case prediction using GoogleTrends™ did not remain possible later on in the pandemic course. However, noticeable changes reflecting novel features of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants were observed. Therefore, monitoring symptom changes and virus evolution might be a promising application of internet search analysis in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Following the introduction of COVID-19 lockdown, studies have shown an increase in domestic violence in many countries. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of seeking domestic violence information and support during the initial COVID-19 lockdown (March - April 2020) in Poland. Material and methods: We analysed searches for information on domestic violence on Google and the use of the domestic violence crisis helpline in the lockdown period compared to previous years. Google search terms were selected by the authors of the paper and then the frequency of searches performed in March and April 2020 and in the corresponding months of 2015-2019 were determined using the Google Trends tool. Additionally, we compared the data obtained from the national helpline Blue Line in March - April 2020 vs. the corresponding months in 2019. Results: An increase in the number of reports of domestic violence was observed in comparison to the previous year (+6.9%), with the largest increase in the number of reports by email (+77.7%). At the same time, the number of reports from persons under 18 years old was lower (-48.5%). An increase in reports of both physical and psychological violence was observed. Google Trends data showed an increase in searches for 'psychological help' and a decrease in searches for domestic violence and addiction (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The presented results highlight a potential short-term increase of domestic violence during COVID-19 lockdown periods, with growing importance of Internet-based tools for seeking help (e-mails, and web search engines to a lesser extent). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As global communities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increasing emphasis on public health strategies, like implementation of 'lockdowns', closure of educational institutions and offices, cancellation of events, and enforcement of social distancing measures to slow the rate of transmission. The main objective of this article is to find out how the public health interventions and national lockdown affected people's perception and attitudes to limited mobility and how people reacted by their spatial mobility behaviours in new reality of the first weeks of COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. The study is based on the on-line survey research conducted among Polish residents supplemented by the analysis of data on changes in the spatial mobility based on Google dataset. The obtained results highlight high level of self-discipline in the population in response to restrictions and social distancing obligations, and as a result significantly lower spatial mobility level, before the restrictions began to be lifted. The size of the respondents' place of residence had the greatest impact on changes in spatial mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The majority of patients had a stable course of the disease during the pandemic. • Pandemic had an influence on children's behavior and sleep patterns. • Telemedicine seems to be an effective tool for supervising children with epilepsy. • Patients should be informed about possible options in case of emergency. In 2020, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared as a global pandemic. Self-reported stress, anxiety, and insomnia, which are believed to be common triggers for epilepsy, are more likely to occur. We aimed to establish the influence of COVID-19 pandemic itself on changes in the daily life routine related to pandemic on epilepsy course in pediatric patients. The unique form of clinical care which is telemedicine was also taken into consideration. We wanted to evaluate patients' satisfaction with telemedicine and if changing stationary visits into telemedicine influenced epilepsy course in our patients. Patients, who attended developmental neurology outpatient clinic in the period March–December 2020 were collected. As patients were minors, legal guardians were asked to fill out the questionnaire. Patients were divided according to the outcome into three groups: those with a worsened, stable, or improved course of epilepsy during the pandemic. Appropriate statistical tests for two-group and multi-group comparisons have been implemented. Post hoc p values were also calculated. Four hundred and two questionnaires were collected. Most of the patients had a stable course of epilepsy during the pandemic; in 13% of participants an improvement has been observed, worsening of the disease was seen in 16% of patients. Age, sex, type of epilepsy, number of seizure incidents before pandemic, and duration of the disease had no statistically significant connection with changes in the course of the disease. Behavioral changes and altered sleep patterns were found to be more common in the worsened group. Fifty-eight percent of patients were satisfied with telemedicine. Poorer satisfaction was connected with less frequent visits, cancellation of scheduled appointments, and lack of help in case of need in an emergency situation. Epilepsy course in pediatric patients seems to be stable during COVID-19 pandemic. Sleep disturbances and changes in a child's behavior may be related to increase in seizure frequency. Telemedicine is an effective tool for supervising children with epilepsy. Patients should be informed about possible ways of getting help in urgent cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]