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COVID-19: Original Article
- Changes in food sufficiency among Korean adults in urban and rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of the 7th and 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
- Sarang Jeong, Jin-Young Jeong, Sohyun Park
- Epidemiol Health. 2024;46:e2024045. Published online April 16, 2024
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2024045
- 2,850 View
- 102 Download
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Abstract
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AbstractOBJECTIVES
Understanding changes in food sufficiency within various demographic groups during emergency situations, such as the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, is crucial in formulating public health policies for future preparedness. This study investigated potential differences between urban and rural residents in food sufficiency trends during the COVID-19 pandemic and examined how these changes varied according to socio-demographic factors.METHODSThis cross-sectional study analyzed data from 19,724 adults aged 20 years and older, utilizing information from the 7th-8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2018-2021).RESULTSIn urban areas, across all subpopulations, food sufficiency improved significantly during the COVID-19 period relative to pre-pandemic levels (p<0.001). However, in rural regions, a significant increase in food sufficiency during the COVID-19 era was observed only among female, with an odds ratio of 1.42 (95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 1.89). Nevertheless, no significant interaction terms were found between region and various socio-demographic factors regarding changes in food sufficiency during the COVID-19 period.CONCLUSIONSDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, food sufficiency among urban residents improved compared to the pre-pandemic era, whereas their rural counterparts saw no such improvement. Additionally, no significant interaction was detected between urban versus rural areas and changes in food sufficiency during the COVID-19 period. These findings indicate the need for targeted food policies to prepare for potential future pandemics, particularly in rural areas, where food sufficiency did not improve. -
SummaryKorean summary
- 본 연구는 COVID-19 팬데믹 동안 도시와 농촌 지역의 성인들 사이에서 식품 충분성의 변화를 조사하고, 이 변화를 사회인구학적 요인에 따라 분석하였다.
- 연구 결과, 코로나19 기간 동안 도시 지역의 다양한 인구통계학적 하위 그룹에서 식품 충분성이 크게 증가했으며, 농촌 지역에서는 여성들을 제외하고는 유의미한 변화가 나타나지 않았다.
- 본 연구는 향후 팬데믹 대비를 위한 식품 충분성 정책을 개발할 때 인구통계학적 요인과 지역적 차이를 고려하는 것이 중요하며, 특히 농촌 지역에서의 필요성을 강조한다.Key Message
- This study examined changes in food sufficiency among adults in urban and rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on socio-demographic factors.
- Findings revealed that food sufficiency significantly increased in urban areas across various demographic subgroups during the COVID-19 period, while rural areas showed no significant overall change, except for an increase among women.
- The study highlights the importance of considering socio-demographic factors and regional differences, particularly the need for targeted food assistance programs in rural areas, for future pandemic preparedness.
COVID-19: Original Article
- Influence of practice location on prescribing, diabetes care, and colorectal cancer screening among Czech general practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Jan Bělobrádek, Luděk Šídlo, Tom Philipp
- Epidemiol Health. 2024;46:e2024033. Published online February 23, 2024
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2024033
- 3,806 View
- 93 Download
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Abstract
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Supplementary Material -
AbstractOBJECTIVES
The provision of primary health care was not interrupted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Czechia, although the capacity and resources of providers changed. We examined how the pandemic affected individual general practices throughout 2017-2021, focusing on differences between urban and rural practices.METHODSWe analysed data from the largest health insurance company in Czechia, which provides care to 4.5 million people (60% of the population). We evaluated the prescription volume, diabetes care procedures, and faecal immunochemical test (FIT) in preventive care and new pandemic-related procedures (remote consultations, testing, and vaccinations). For the spatial distribution of practices, we adapted the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development typology.RESULTSWe observed minimal declines in 2020 in the rate of prescribing (-1.0%) and diabetes care (-5.1%), with a rapid resumption in 2021, but a substantial decline in FIT (-17.8% in 2020) with slow resumption. Remote consultations were used by 94% of all practices regardless of location, with testing and vaccinations more commonly performed by rural general practitioners (GPs).CONCLUSIONSPrimary care in Czechia rose to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, as shown by the finding that the volume of healthcare services provided through primary care did not decrease across most of the monitored parameters. This study also confirmed that rural GPs provide more care in-house, both in terms of prescribing and procedures performed in their practices. Future studies will need to focus on preventive care, which the pandemic has dampened in GP practices in Czechia. -
SummaryKey Message
Primary care in Czechia has effectively adapted to the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Minimal impact was observed in prescribtions and diabetic patient care. There was a significant decline in colorectal cancer screening, with a slow restitution after the pandemic subsided. Rural GPs consistently provided in-house treatment and have higher shares of both prescribing and diabetes care, as well as performing more COVID-19 specific procedures.
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