3 research outputs found
DataSheet1_Changes in Healthcare Utilization During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Potential CausesâA Cohort Study From Switzerland.docx
Objectives: To describe the frequency of and reasons for changes in healthcare utilization in those requiring ongoing treatment, and to assess characteristics associated with change, during the second wave of the pandemic.Methods: Corona Immunitas e-cohort study (age â„20Â years) participants completed monthly questionnaires. We compared participants reporting a change in healthcare utilization with those who did not using descriptive and bivariate statistics. We explored characteristics associated with the number of changes using negative binomial regression.Results: The study included 3,190 participants from nine research sites. One-fifth reported requiring regular treatment. Among these, 14% reported a change in healthcare utilization, defined as events in which participants reported that they changed their ongoing treatment, irrespective of the reason. Reasons for change were medication changes and side-effects, specifically for hypertension, or pulmonary embolism treatment. Females were more likely to report changes [Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) = 2.15, p = 0.002]. Those with hypertension were least likely to report changes [IRR = 0.35, p = 0.019].Conclusion: Few of those requiring regular treatment reported changes in healthcare utilization. Continuity of care for females and chronic diseases besides hypertension must be emphasized.</p
DataSheet1_Interplay of Digital Proximity App Use and SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Uptake in Switzerland: Analysis of Two Population-Based Cohort Studies.docx
Objectives: Our study aims to evaluate developments in vaccine uptake and digital proximity tracing app use in a localized context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.Methods: We report findings from two population-based longitudinal cohorts in Switzerland from January to December 2021. Failure time analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression models were conducted to assess vaccine uptake and digital proximity tracing app (SwissCovid) uninstalling outcomes.Results: We observed a dichotomy of individuals who did not use the SwissCovid app and did not get vaccinated, and who used the SwissCovid app and got vaccinated during the study period. Increased vaccine uptake was observed with SwissCovid app use (aHR, 1.51; 95% CI: 1.40â1.62 [CI-DFU]; aHR, 1.79; 95% CI: 1.62â1.99 [CSM]) compared to SwissCovid app non-use. Decreased SwissCovid uninstallation risk was observed for participants who got vaccinated (aHR, 0.55; 95% CI: 0.38â0.81 [CI-DFU]; aHR, 0.45; 95% CI: 0.27â0.78 [CSM]) compared to participants who did not get vaccinated.Conclusion: In evolving epidemic contexts, these findings underscore the need for communication strategies as well as flexible digital proximity tracing app adjustments that accommodate different preventive measures and their anticipated interactions.</p
Development of Land Use Regression Models for PM<sub>2.5</sub>, PM<sub>2.5</sub> Absorbance, PM<sub>10</sub> and PM<sub>coarse</sub> in 20 European Study Areas; Results of the ESCAPE Project
Land Use Regression (LUR) models have been used increasingly
for
modeling small-scale spatial variation in air pollution concentrations
and estimating individual exposure for participants of cohort studies.
Within the ESCAPE project, concentrations of PM<sub>2.5</sub>, PM<sub>2.5</sub> absorbance, PM<sub>10</sub>, and PM<sub>coarse</sub> were
measured in 20 European study areas at 20 sites per area. GIS-derived
predictor variables (e.g., traffic intensity, population, and land-use)
were evaluated to model spatial variation of annual average concentrations
for each study area. The median model explained variance (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup>) was 71% for PM<sub>2.5</sub> (range across
study areas 35â94%). Model <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> was
higher for PM<sub>2.5</sub> absorbance (median 89%, range 56â97%)
and lower for PM<sub>coarse</sub> (median 68%, range 32â 81%).
Models included between two and five predictor variables, with various
traffic indicators as the most common predictors. Lower <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> was related to small concentration variability or limited
availability of predictor variables, especially traffic intensity.
Cross validation <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> results were on average
8â11% lower than model <i>R</i><sup>2</sup>. Careful
selection of monitoring sites, examination of influential observations
and skewed variable distributions were essential for developing stable
LUR models. The final LUR models are used to estimate air pollution
concentrations at the home addresses of participants in the health
studies involved in ESCAPE