[THE USE OF AMBULATORY PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES AMONG THE ISRAELI POPULATION FOLLOWING THE OCTOBER 7 TERROR ATTACKS AND IRON SWORDS WAR].

BACKGROUND: On October 7, 2023, operation "Iron Swords" erupted following a barbaric terror attack, resulting in over 1,200 casualties, with more than 250 individuals, abducted. The aftermath of this slaughter led to the evacuation of hundreds of thousands from their homes in both the south and north of Israel. This situation triggered an unprecedented surge in the request for mental health support as reported by health funds and helplines. Global observations of large-scale traumatic events indicate increased usage of mental health services. The question then arises regarding the scope of services required in response to the mega-atrocity of October 7. OBJECTIVES: To chart the utilization of psychiatric clinical treatment services in Israel in the aftermath of the October 7 attack. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort analysis using the electronic database from the research division of Clalit Health Services. We performed a comparative charting of mental health clinic treatments among individuals aged 15 and above, focusing on October-December 2023. These data were then compared to corresponding months over the previous five years (2018-2022). RESULTS: From October to December 2023, there was a 23.2% increase in the requests for mental health clinic treatments, compared to the same period in 2022. This surge extends a continuing upward trend in the utilization of mental health services observed since 2018. CONCLUSIONS: The study results emphasize the necessity for a responsive and flexible mental health system, to address immediate and long-term psychiatric care needs. The insights derived from these data are crucial for policymakers and clinicians to restructure mental health services, aiming to enhance the quality and accessibility of care for the Israeli population. DISCUSSION: The consistent rise in utilization of clinical mental health services significantly intensified following October 7, 2023. This echoes trends observed in global studies, underscoring the profound and enduring effects of traumatic experiences on mental health. These insights highlight the necessity for ongoing, high-quality therapeutic services and underscores the critical need for strategic policy development and increased investment in mental health services.

Mental Health Outcomes of Arab and Jewish Populations in Israel a Month after the Mass Trauma Events of October 7, 2023: A Cross-Sectional Survey of a Representative Sample.

On October 7, 2023, a war erupted in Israel following a mass terror attack including mass shootings, violent events, civilian abductions, and numerous fatalities, ranking as the third most deadliest terror attack. This cross-sectional, population-based study evaluated the impact on the mental health and utilization of mental health services in the Arab and Jewish populations. Conducted through a virtual platform, the study compared demographic factors, exposure to war-related events, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms among 517 participants in a representative sample of the adult population in Israel (79.1% Jewish, 20.9% Arab). Jews reported higher exposure to war-related events, but a majority expressed a lack of interest in mental help. In contrast, more Arabs desired mental help but faced barriers like stigma and scarce resources. Arabs showed a greater preference for group therapy and medical treatment. Trust in official bodies was consistently higher among Jews. Both populations exhibited similar levels (12-15.4%) of probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study equips clinicians, researchers and policymakers with real-time insights into improving mental health support for the culturally diverse needs of Jewish and Arab communities following exposure to mass trauma.

Not All Days Were Created Equal-Better Day Orientation Following the Weekend on Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test whether patients are better oriented to the day on the first working day following the weekend (in Israel-Sunday), compared with other weekdays, on the Mini-Mental Score Examination (MMSE). METHODS: All MMSE scores from November 2016 until December 2022 in our mental health center's computerized system were collected. The proportion of correct answers to orientation to the day was compared between weekdays. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 2049 MMSEs taken by 1376 patients [average age 80.3 (SD=9.3), 56.4% female]. The difference between the proportion of correct and incorrect answers was statistically significant between the days, of which Sundays showed a larger difference (53.4%) compared with the other days (χ 2 =20.77, P <0.001, Cramer V =0.104). A statistically significant odds ratio (OR) for providing a correct response was found for Sundays (OR=1.55, P =0.001) and, to a lesser extent, on Thursdays (OR=1.29, P =0.01). The difference between Sundays and other weekdays disappears as the total MMSE decreases. CONCLUSION: Day orientation on the MMSE may be better on the first day following the weekend, especially in early cognitive decline. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The weekday in which the MMSE is performed may influence its results.

Long-term efficacy of a continuity-of-care treatment model for patients with severe mental illness who transition from in-patient to out-patient services.

BACKGROUND: Despite its significance, ensuring continuity of care demands substantial resources, which might not be readily accessible in many public healthcare systems. Studies indicate that continuity of care remains uncertain in numerous healthcare systems. AIMS: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a continuity-of-care model for patients with severe mental illness (SMI), providing seamless treatment from discharge from a closed ward to subsequent psychiatric, psychological and rehabilitation services. METHOD: Data from patients discharged before (1 January to 31 December 2018) and after (1 June 2021 to 31 May 2022) full implementation of the model were analysed and compared in terms of average duration of hospital stay, emergency department visits within 90 days of discharge, readmission rate within a year post-discharge and initiation of rehabilitation process. RESULTS: In the post-implementation period (n = 482), the average admission time significantly decreased from 30.51 ± 29.72 to 26.77 ± 27.89 days, compared with the pre-implementation period (n = 403) (P = 0.029). Emergency department visits within 90 days following discharge decreased from 38.70 to 26.35% of discharged patients (P < 0.001). The rate of readmission decreased from 50.9 to 44.0% (P = 0.041) for one readmission and from 28.3 to 22.0% (P = 0.032) for two readmissions in the year following discharge. Additionally, the proportion of patients entering formal rehabilitation increased from 7.94 to 12.03% (P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the effectiveness of a continuity-of-care model spearheaded by senior psychiatrists and involving paramedical personnel. These findings underscore the significant potential of the model to substantially enhance mental health services and outcomes. Moreover, they emphasise its relevance for patients, clinicians and policy makers.

Peripartum dissociation, sense of control, postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder and emotional adjustment to motherhood in adult survivors of childhood maltreatment.

Survivors of childhood maltreatment (CM) may experience difficulties in the peripartum period and in adjustment to motherhood. In this study we examined a model wherein CM is associated with maternal self-efficacy and maternal bonding three months postpartum, through mediation of peripartum dissociation and reduced sense of control during childbirth and postpartum-posttraumatic-stress disorder (P-PTSD). Women were recruited in a maternity ward within 48 h of childbirth (T1, N = 440), and contacted three-months postpartum (T2, N = 295). Participants completed self-report questionnaires: peripartum dissociation, sense of control (T1), and CM, P-PTSD, postpartum-depression, maternal self-efficacy and bonding (T2). Obstetrical data were collected from medical files. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test the hypothesized model, controlling for mode of delivery and postpartum-depression. Reported CM included child emotional neglect (CEN; 23.5%), child emotional abuse (CEA; 16.3%), child sexual abuse (CSA; 12.9%) and child physical abuse (CPA; 7.1%). CM was positively associated with peripartum dissociation and P-PTSD (p < .001). Peripartum dissociation was positively associated with P-PTSD (p < .001). P-PTSD was negatively associated with maternal self-efficacy (p < .001) and maternal bonding (p < .001). Association between CM and maternal self-efficacy and bonding was serially mediated by peripartum dissociation and P-PTSD, but not by sense of control. Findings remained significant after controlling for mode of delivery and postpartum-depression. CM is a risk factor for adjustment to motherhood, owing to its effects on peripartum dissociation and P-PTSD. Implementation of a trauma-informed approach in obstetric care and recognition of peripartum dissociative reactions are warranted.

Obstetric outcome and emotional reactions to childbirth in women with dyspareunia: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess obstetrical outcomes, perceptions of childbirth experience and emotional adjustment, in women with dyspareunia. STUDY DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, 440 women were recruited within 48 h postpartum in the maternity ward of a large medical center, during the period of April 2018- August 2020. Self-report questionnaires were administered which addressed demographic and reproductive background, dyspareunia, perceptions of control during labor (Labor Agentry Scale), perceived professional support (Intrapartum Care Scale), and maternal adjustment, implicated in perinatal dissociation (Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire), acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms (Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire), bonding (Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale), anticipated maternal self-efficacy (Maternal Self-Efficacy Scale) and well-being (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale). Obstetrical information was retrieved from clinical files and included pregnancy complications, week and mode of delivery, nature of labor onset, analgesia during delivery, birthweight, perineal tears. RESULTS: The dyspareunia group included 71 women (18.3%) and the comparison group 317 (81.7%). Demographic data were similar among groups. No difference was observed in nature of labor onset, type of analgesia, route of delivery, perineal tears. More participants with dyspareunia had premature delivery versus comparisons (14.1% vs 5.6%, p = 0.02). Women with dyspareunia reported lower levels of control (p = 0.01) and perceived support during childbirth (p < 0.001), higher levels of perinatal dissociation (p < 0.001) ASD symptoms (p < 0.001), depression (p = 0.02), negative affect (p < 0.001), and reported lower levels of maternal bonding (p < 0.001) and anticipated maternal self-efficacy (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Dyspareunia was associated with more premature deliveries, parameters of emotional distress during childbirth and poorer maternal adjustment following childbirth. Perinatal caregivers should be cognizant of such cognitive and emotional reactions in women with dyspareunia, so as to assess for a history of dyspareunia in pregnant women and provide adequate support during pregnancy and delivery.

Dropout from Mental Health Treatment Among Asylum-Seekers in Israel: A Retrospective Chart Study.

Dropout from psychiatric treatment and psychotherapy is common among asylum-seekers, even though they are at increased risk of emotional distress and psychiatric disorders. We aimed to define the associations between demographic and clinical variables and dropout among asylum-seekers in Israel. In this retrospective chart review we initially examined 271 files from Gesher (Bridge, in Hebrew), a government psychiatric clinic for asylum-seekers. All cases were considered eligible provided data were sufficient and asylum-seeker status could be ascertained. Of the 101 files included in the analysis, comparisons between patients who dropped out and patients who continued treatment were made, and logistic regression for dropout risk was conducted. In the study sample, 27 patients (26.7%) dropped out of treatment. Diagnosis of psychotic spectrum disorder and shorter time in Israel were significantly associated with dropout. Parenthood was significantly associated with dropout for men, but not for women. Defining factors associated with dropout and adherence to therapy for asylum-seekers may help improve ambulatory mental health services and the outcomes of treatment for this population.

Internalizing symptoms impede adolescents' ability to transition from in-person to online mental health services during the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Online mental health services were previously found to be effective in many studies. However, this method was not generally used in Israel. By the end of 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic erupted, forcing mental health services to transition to online meetings to maintain the standard of care. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the attitudes of adolescent patients toward this involuntary new mode of care. METHODS: Forty-four adolescents (mean age 14.62 ± 2.12 years, 54.5% females) and 40 of their primary caregivers completed a battery of questionnaires that included the telemedicine satisfaction questionnaire, session evaluation questionnaire, working alliance inventory, and pediatric symptom checklist. RESULTS: Both adolescents and their caregivers reported a reasonable experience with the online medium and a feeling that the meetings were overall powerful, helpful, and comfortable as demonstrated by medium to high scores on the telemedicine satisfaction questionnaire and session evaluation questionnaire questionnaires. A therapeutic alliance was generally maintained according to working alliance inventory scores. However, working alliance inventory scores were negatively correlated with higher levels of internalizing symptoms and parental stress. DISCUSSION: Our findings point to the possibility that anxious/depressed adolescents will have greater difficulties re-establishing therapeutic alliance when transitioned from in-person to online meetings. This may be due to the introduction of an "invisible" third party to the therapeutic setting-the computer. Psychologists and psychiatrists should be aware of these difficulties and respond adequately to maintain the standard of care.

Mental health professionals' awareness of the parental functioning of persons with severe mental disorders: a retrospective chart study.

BACKGROUND: The proportion of persons with severe mental illness (SMI) who are parents has increased in recent decades. Children of parents with SMI are at increased risk for medical, behavioral, emotional, developmental, academic, and social problems. They also have an increased risk for injuries, accidents, and mortality, addictions, and various psychiatric disorders compared to children of parents with no such diagnoses. We aimed to examine the extent to which mental health professionals (MHPs) who treat adult patients with SMI in ambulatory settings are aware of these individuals' functioning in three parenting domains: parental functioning, familial support system and children's conditions. We also compared psychiatrists' awareness with that of psychologists and social workers. METHODS: In this retrospective practice-oriented study, we reviewed 80 clinical files of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, affective disorder or personality disorder treated in a mental health outpatient clinic, using the Awareness of Family's Mental Health Checklist (AFMHC) developed for this study. Thus, awareness was determined on the basis of what was recorded in the patient file. RESULTS: Almost half of the MHPs were unaware to their patients' parental functioning as only 44% of files contained records relating to this issue. Awareness to other domains was even lower: 24% of files contained information on patient's support system and 12% had information about their children's mental and/or physical health. No statistically significant differences between psychiatrists and other MHPs were found with regards to awareness to the various domains. Positive correlations were found among MHP's for awareness in the three domains. CONCLUSION: Lack of awareness among MHPs to their patients' parental functioning is not specific to a certain profession and may be attributed to patients (e.g., reluctance to disclose relevant information) or to MHPs (e.g., lack of training). Awareness of family and parental functioning by MHPs working with persons with SMI should be part of a standard procedure, integrated into policy and training.

Psychiatrists' awareness of the cost of medication, rates of social disability pension, and their attitudes regarding knowledge of treatment costs.

BACKGROUND: Medication is a significant component of the cost of mental health care. Studies from different countries indicate that physicians are often not aware of medication costs, despite the impact of such knowledge on treatment plans. The purpose of this study was to examine Israeli psychiatrists' knowledge regarding the cost of medication and rates of disability pension, and the impact of these factors on treatment decisions. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was distributed by e-mail to psychiatry specialists and residents, including: (a) socio-demographic and professional information; (b) knowledge regarding rates of National Insurance disability pension and medications' costs; (c) attitudes regarding relevance of knowledge of treatment costs. Correlations between socio-demographic variables and knowledge regarding treatment costs and attitudes were examined. RESULTS: Of the 175 psychiatrists who completed the questionnaire, 55% were men. The level of knowledge regarding cost of psychotropic medication and disability pension rates was low. Sixty-eight percent rated economic considerations as important or very important, yet 75% were informed of medication prices by their patients, and 57% by pharmaceutical companies. Doctors who worked in regions other than the center of the state were more aware of the economic aspects of treatment. Physicians who reported easy access to information regarding drug prices were less likely to err in estimating the price of medications. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatrists in Israel are not sufficiently informed of the costs of psychotropic medications, despite their awareness of the relevance of affordability to treatment compliance. Awareness of economic issues relating to treatment should be included in residency programs, and access to relevant information of medication cost and disability pensions should be more accessible to physicians both on national and local levels, by the government and health maintenance ogranizations (HMOs).

Proximity to COVID-19 patients and role-specific mental health outcomes of healthcare professionals.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) experience extreme hardships and challenges during the time of COVID-19, due to their professional roles. At the same time, HCPs may experience a feeling of importance as contributing members of the community, which could enhance their well-being alongside COVID-19-work-related stressors. AIMS: This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between HCPs' proximity to COVID-19 patients and role-specific fears of COVID-19 and sense of emotional, social and psychological well-being. METHODS: Participants (N = 1,378) included: HCPs who treated COVID-19 patients (frontliners, n = 188), HCPs that did not work directly with COVID-19 patients (secondliners, n = 524), and a group of non-HCPs who served as the comparison group (n = 666). Participants completed the Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale-21; Fear of COVID-19 Scale; Fear of COVID-19 Familial Infection Scale; and the Mental Health Continuum Short-Form. RESULTS: Results indicate that the comparison group reported higher levels of fear of COVID-19 compared to secondliners, while frontliners reported the highest levels of fear of infecting their families. Frontliners and secondliners HCPs reported significantly higher levels of social and psychological well-being compared to the non-HCP group. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that there are role-specific mental health outcomes related to HCP's proximity to COVID-19 patients.

Suicide Among Holocaust Survivors: A National Registry Study.

Previous findings regarding European Holocaust survivors' suicide risk are conflicting. North African survivors' suicide risk was not previously studied. In this study, we aimed to determine suicide risk among European and North African Holocaust survivors. The study was based on the Israeli population census from 1972, followed until 2015 for suicide. European survivors were grouped into survivors of severe Nazi persecution (HS) and early HS. North African survivors were grouped into those from Algeria, Libya and Tunisia who were likely to have suffered more severe persecution (group 1) and those from Morocco who apparently suffered less persecution (group 2). Comparison groups were chosen according to similar ethnic origins who were not under Nazi control. Age standardized suicide rates, Standard Mortality Ratios (SMR) were calculated. Cox regression analysis was used to assess suicide risk. The age adjusted suicide rates (per 100,000) among Europeans were: HS 17.8 (95%CI 16.9-18.6), early HS 28.6 (95%CI 24.9-32.2), comparison group 20.3 (95%CI 18.5-22.1). Among North Africans: group 1, 6.9 (95%CI 5.6-8.2), group 2, 4.8 (95%CI 4.0-5.5), comparison group, 8.5 (95% CI 6.4-11.0). The SMRs with European comparisons were 0.88 (95%CI 0.84-0.92) for HS and 1.41 (95%CI 1.20-1.65) for early HS. SMRs with North African comparisons were 0.81 (95%CI 0.67-0.97) for group 1 and 0.57 (95%CI 0.48-0.66) for group 2. Cox regression models showed significantly higher suicide risk for European early HS vs comparisons (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.31, 95% CI 1.12-1.52), and lower risk for HS (0.89, 95%CI 0.80-0.98). North African group 2 had significantly lower HR (0.58, 95%CI 0.43-0.79). To conclude, higher resilience was found among European survivors of severe adversity, compared to those who suffered lesser persecution. No elevated risk was found among North African survivors.

Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Mental Health Care of Asylum Seekers.

Asylum seekers in Israel from East Africa frequently experienced traumatic events along their journey, particularly in the Sinai Peninsula, where they were subjected to trafficking and torture. Exposure to trauma has implications for rights that are contingent on refugee status. This retrospective chart review aimed to characterize the types of traumas experienced by 219 asylum seekers (149 men) from Eritrea and Sudan who sought treatment at a specialized mental health clinic in Israel, and to compare the mental health of trauma victims (n = 168) with that of non-trauma victims (n = 53). About 76.7% of the asylum seekers had experienced at least one traumatic event, of whom 56.5% were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Most reported traumas were experienced en route in the Sinai, rather than in the country of origin or Israel. Few clinical differences were observed between trauma victims and non-trauma victims, or between trauma victims with and without a PTSD diagnosis. Our findings emphasize the importance of accessibility to mental and other health services for asylum seekers. Governmental policies and international conventions on the definition of human trafficking may need to be revised, as well as asylum seekers' rights and access to health services related to visa status.

Hope as a predictor for COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

The worldwide effort to recover from the COVID-19 crisis is now at its pinnacle with the putative vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. To reach herd immunity, it has become an urgent global need to understand the emotional factors that drive people's choice to get vaccinated. Therefore, this exploratory study examined emotional motivations as predictors of the decision to receive the vaccine. The sample (N = 627) included adult (18+) participants in Israel who were recruited by a snowball sampling. The participants filled out an online survey when the vaccines have become widely available in Israel. Within the entire sample, as well as among people who did not receive the vaccine yet, hope was the only factor that was associated with their willingness to be vaccinated; higher levels of hope were related to willingness to be vaccinated. The results of the study indicate that hope is an important factor related to motivation to receive the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

The association of medical resource utilization with physical morbidity and premature mortality among patients with schizophrenia: An historical prospective population cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia patients have shorter life expectancy often owing to preventable physical illnesses and sub-optimal utilization of medical services. However, the association between service-utilization and mortality has not been explored. AIM: To assess whether medical service-utilization moderates the association between physical morbidity and premature mortality in a nation-wide cohort. METHODS: A population representative database of the largest health provider in Israel was analyzed. All electronic health records of patients with schizophrenia diagnosis (ICD code F.20) (n = 24,679) were followed-up between 2012 and 2015, and compared to the general population (n = 2,232,804), in terms of metabolic and cardiovascular morbidity, all-cause mortality, primary medical and specialist health service-utilization and general hospitalizations. RESULTS: Schizophrenia was associated with increased mortality risk (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 3.52, 95%CI 3.35-3.72). Most deaths were related to physical illnesses. Metabolic syndrome components, except chronic hypertension, were more prevalent among patients. They were referred more frequently to primary and less to secondary services (aHR = 1.05, 95%CI 1.04-1.06, aHR = 0.95, 95%CI 0.94-0.97, respectively), with higher hospitalization rates (0.23 ± 0.90 vs 0.10 ± 0.50 per year), and longer mean duration of hospitalization (2.02 ± 10.24 vs 0.68 ± 5.51 days, P < 0.001). More contacts with primary care physicians or specialists positively moderated the association between mortality and metabolic disturbances in patients with schizophrenia; more contacts were associated with better outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: An association between premature mortality and metabolic syndrome was found among schizophrenia patients while utilization of primary/secondary medical services moderated the lethal effects of metabolic dysregulation. Increased integrative primary care and a national monitoring system are warranted to reduce mortality rate in this population.

A Functional Network Perspective on Posttraumatic Stress in Refugees: Implications for Theory, Classification, Assessment, and Intervention.

There is an important, long-standing debate regarding the universality vs. specificity of trauma-related mental health symptoms in socio-culturally and linguistically diverse population groups, such as refugees and asylum seekers. Network theory, an emerging development in the field of psychological science, provides a novel data analytic methodology to evaluate and empirically examine long-standing questions about the structure and function of posttraumatic stress symptoms. We sought to empirically model the functional network of posttraumatic stress symptoms among East African refugees who survived multiple potentially traumatic events. A sample of 148 Sudanese and Eritrean male asylum seekers (M(SD)age = 32.60(7.13) were recruited from the community in Israel. The nature and function(s) of posttraumatic symptoms (Harvard Trauma Questionnaire) were modeled using regularized partial correlation models to derive a network of symptoms. Spinglass and exploratory graph analysis walktrap algorithms were then used to identify functional "circuits of symptoms" or clusters of nodes within the network. Analyses revealed a functional symptom circuitry that shares features with the predominant western model of posttraumatic stress disorder; as well as unique functional clusters of symptoms inconsistent with nosology and symptomatology observed in studies of Western populations. Findings may have important implications for theory, classification, assessment, candidate mechanisms that may drive and maintain posttraumatic stress, and in turn may inform prevention or treatment for socio-culturally diverse forcibly displaced population groups.

A rapid assessment of migrant careworkers' psychosocial status during Israel's COVID-19 lockdown.

BACKGROUND: Israel hosts nearly 70,000 migrant careworkers. Migrant careworkers work and live with populations extremely vulnerable to the novel Coronavirus, including the elderly and people with pre-existing physical conditions. This rapid assessment aimed to explore psychosocial status and mental wellbeing of migrant careworkers in Israel during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and determine risk and protective factors associated with mental distress, anxiety, and depression. METHODS: This quantitative study was conducted via an online survey. The online survey collected social and demographic data, including country of origin, residence, age, sex, and time in Israel. In addition, questions were asked about knowledge of COVID-19 guidelines, access to supplies, and COVID-related racism. Respondents also completed a psychosocial screening tools, the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-10 (HSCL-10), which was used to screen for depression and anxiety. RESULTS: As of May 3rd, 2020, 307 careworkers responded to the online survey, of whom 120 (39.1%) were found symptomatic using the HSCL-10. Separating the HSCL-10 into subscales, 28.0% were symptomatically anxious, and 38.1% were symptomatic for depression. In multivariate regression, emotional distress was associated with household food insecurity (OR: 5.85; p < 0.001), lack of confidence to care for oneself and employer during the pandemic (OR: 3.85; p < 0.001), poorer general health (OR: 2.98; p < 0.003), non-Philippine country of origin (OR: 2.83; p < 0.01), female sex (OR: 2.34; p < 0.04),, and inversely associated with age (p < 0.03). While 87.6% of careworkers reported having access to hand sanitization materials regularly, only 58.0% had regular access to a medical grade mask, and 21.5% reported household food insecurity. Moreover, 40.0% of careworkers claimed to lack confidence to care for themselves and their employer during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Migrant careworkers exhibited high levels of mental distress during the COVID-19 lockdown, associated with lack of confidence or resources to properly care for themselves and their employer. Guidelines and support programs specific to the carework sector, that respect their rights and guard their health, must be developed as part of a coordinated COVID-19 response.

Role of psychosocial factors in long-term adherence to secondary prevention measures after myocardial infarction: a longitudinal analysis.

PURPOSE: Psychosocial factors have been linked to myocardial infarction (MI) outcomes. Whether psychosocial factors affect post-MI long-term adherence to secondary prevention recommendations remains uncertain. METHODS: Patients ≤65 years (n = 616) were assessed for optimism, perceived social support (PSS), sense of coherence (SOC), anxiety, and depression at initial hospitalization for acute MI (1992-1993). Adherence to secondary prevention measures was recorded in interviews 3-6 months, 1-2, 5, and 10-13 years after MI. Prevention score (proportion of recommendations met) was developed based on: (1) medication adherence; (2) exercise; (3) nonsmoking; (4) healthy diet; (5) maintaining recommended body weight. Associations between psychosocial factors and prevention scores were estimated using Generalized Estimating Equation models. The role of the prevention score in long-term survival was assessed using time-dependent Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Average follow-up prevention scores ranged from 0.70 to 0.80 (SD, ≈0.20). After multivariable adjustment, PSS (ß = 0.087, P = .002, per 1 SD increase) and SOC (ß = 0.082, P = .006, per 1 SD increase) were positively associated with secondary prevention adherence. The prevention score predicted survival over 23-year follow-up (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.68-0.91, per 1 SD increase). CONCLUSIONS: Psychosocial factors following MI, particularly PSS and SOC, were associated with long-term adherence to secondary prevention measures.

Patterns of psychiatric hospitalizations among migrant workers and asylum-seekers in Israel: a single hospital archive study, 2005-2011.

Aim: Migrants have increased risk for psychiatric hospitalizations. Over the last decades Israel has become a destination for migration of migrant workers and asylum-seekers.Methods: The current retrospective study retrieved socio-demographic, clinical and migration-related chart data for 117 migrants admitted to a major Israeli psychiatric hospital between 2005-2011, to delineate characteristics and risk-factors for psychiatric hospitalizations. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to predict re-hospitalization.Results: Of the study sample, 61% were single men, 20% had been exposed to trauma, 15% had prior psychiatric hospitalizations and 24% had attempted suicide. Approximately, 76% were involuntarily hospitalized and diagnosed with psychosis. None were diagnosed with PTSD. Approximately, 20% were re-hospitalized. Factors significantly associated with re-hospitalization were male gender (OR = 15.2, 95%, CI 1.8-126.9, p = 0.012), prior psychiatric hospitalization (OR = 15.4, 95% CI 2.1-111.9, p < 0.01), being single (OR = 5.96, 95% CI1.14-31.07, p = 0.03) and traumatic exposure (OR = 4.75, 95% CI: 1.17-19.36, p= 0.03). Shorter duration in Israel, unemployment, asylum-seekers, no temporary-visa and use of restraints were more prevalent among those re-hospitalized.Conclusion: Identification of migrants at risk and trauma-informed, culturally relevant services can reduce hospitalizations.