Browsing by Author "Mello, Fernanda Fontes"
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- Loss and Grief Among Bereaved Family Members During COVID-19 in Brazil: A Grounded Theory AnalysisPublication . Lima, Paola Kallyanna Guarneri Carvalho de; Laranjeira, Carlos; Carreira, Lígia; Baldissera, Vanessa Denardi Antoniassi; Meireles, Viviani Camboin; Baccon, Wanessa Cristina; Dias, Lashayane Eohanne; Ali, Amira Mohammed; Mello, Fernanda Fontes; Tostes, Maria Fernanda do Prado; Salci, Maria AparecidaThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in countless losses around the world, profoundly affecting the lives of many people, especially those who faced the death of family members, bringing several negative repercussions to these families and constraining the experience of grief. This study aimed to understand the experience of loss and grief among bereaved individuals who lost family members during the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study was guided by Charmaz’s constructivist grounded theory as a methodological framework. The study adhered to the Criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ) checklist. Data collection took place between May and November 2023 through telephone interviews that were audio-recorded and later transcribed in full. The purposive sample consisted of 21 bereaved family members who had lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were mainly female (n = 16) with a mean age of 55.5 (SD = 16.2). The loss of their family members occurred 12 to 24 months before data collection. The following central phenomenon was identified through the analytical process: “Family experience of loss and grief: between the unspoken goodbye and post-loss adjustment”. This was anchored in the following three categories: (1) Anguish and fear of the unknown; (2) Death by COVID-19—communication of death and lack of goodbyes; and (3) (Re)construction of meaning—support networks and the grieving process. Our findings recommend that policymakers allocate additional resources to grief support services to better prepare for future pandemic events. Furthermore, it is necessary to invest in the implementation of relevant training programs for healthcare professionals, with a family centered approach.
- Self-Reported Post-COVID Symptoms at 18 Months After Infection Among Adults in Southern Brazil: A Cross-Sectional StudyPublication . Brito, Franciele Aline Machado de; Laranjeira, Carlos; Moroskoski, Marcia; Oliveira, Rosana Rosseto de; Salci, Maria Aparecida; Rossoni, Stéfane Lele; Baccon, Wanessa Cristina; Marques, Priscila Garcia; Góes, Herbert Leopoldo de Freitas; Mello, Fernanda Fontes; Blaszczak, Flávia Renata Baldissera da Cruz; Vissoci, João Ricardo Nickenig; Alcaraz, Jesús Puente; Facchini, Luiz Augusto; Carreira, LígiaBackground/Objectives: Currently, there is a limited understanding of the long-term consequences following acute COVID-19, referred to as long COVID. This cross-sectional study aims to analyze the prevalence of persistent signs and symptoms of long COVID, 18 months after primary SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults in southern Brazil. Methods: Using two national databases (the digital registry of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases), 370 individuals living in the state of Paraná (Brazil) were recruited. Data were collected through telephone interviews conducted in 2021 and 2022. Results: The overall prevalence of long COVID was 66.2% among study participants. During the acute phase of infection, the most common symptom clusters included neurological symptoms (87.0%; n = 318), followed by respiratory (82.0%; n = 301), musculoskeletal (66.0%; n = 241), digestive (50.0%; n = 184), psychological (38.0%; n = 138), and endocrine symptoms (28.0%; n = 104). In the 18 month follow-up, the main persistent symptoms were memory loss (42.7%), fatigue (32.2%), anxiety (23.5%), dyspnea (19.7%), and hair loss (19.7%). The proportion of participants with long COVID was statistically higher in females (73.9%), those with a family income below two minimum wages (94.7%), those who do not practice physical activity (83.3%), those who report poor sleep quality (93.3%), those who use long-term medication (85.9%), those who needed health care in the previous six months (87.3%), those who required professional and/or family care (79.3%), those who were in the ICU (79.0%), and those who used ventilatory support (77.5%). Conclusions: Long COVID is a complex condition that requires long-term monitoring and investment in health services due to its high prevalence and the health consequences in the population.