2023
Persistent symptoms and conditions among children and adolescents hospitalised with COVID-19 illness: a qualitative study
Messiah S, Francis J, Weerakoon S, Mathew M, Shaikh S, Veeraswamy A, Lozano A, He W, Xie L, Polavarapu D, Ahmed N, Kahn J. Persistent symptoms and conditions among children and adolescents hospitalised with COVID-19 illness: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2023, 13: e069073. PMID: 37734886, PMCID: PMC10514629, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069073.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCOVID-19 illnessIn-depth interviewsQualitative studyPaediatric healthcare systemHealth information sourcesLack of insurance coverageMental health impactsPrevalence of long COVIDPersistent symptomsPost-COVID-19 symptomsPost-traumatic stress disorderPersistent COVID-19 symptomsHealthcare systemCOVID-19 experiencePre-existing conditionsQualitative interviewsInsurance coverageCOVID-19Support strategiesWorsening pre-existing conditionsHealth impactsIllnessSupport systemInterviewsLong COVID
2022
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Francis J, Weerakoon S, Lucas S, Mathew M, Durante J, Kelly N, Tiro J. Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Network Open 2022, 5: e2234000. PMID: 36121657, PMCID: PMC9486449, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.34000.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPossible substance use disorders among first responders during the COVID-19 era: a quasi-experimental study of personal and residential vulnerability
Beauchamp A, Weerakoon S, Ponder W, Jetelina K. Possible substance use disorders among first responders during the COVID-19 era: a quasi-experimental study of personal and residential vulnerability. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2022, 48: 724-733. PMID: 35867134, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2022.2088376.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSubstance use disordersOdds of substance use disordersCOVID-19 vulnerabilityResidential vulnerabilityMental health servicesNeighborhood vulnerabilityResidential locationQuasi-experimental studyVulnerability to COVID-19Increased occupational stressHealth servicesTime of entryNeighborhoodCOVID-19Study sampleMaladaptive copingOccupational stressAdjusted modelsRespondentsVulnerabilityCounselingOddsDallas/Fort WorthIncreased stressCOVID-19 era
2021
COVID-19 related employment change is associated with increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic
Weerakoon S, Jetelina K, Knell G, Messiah S. COVID-19 related employment change is associated with increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2021, 47: 730-736. PMID: 34043919, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2021.1912063.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol consumptionAssociated with increased alcohol consumptionLoss of employmentDepressive symptomsCombined effects of depressive symptomsEffect of depressive symptomsInteractive effects of depressionAssociated with mental illnessDrink more alcoholEffects of depressionIncreased alcohol consumptionWeb-based surveyMultinomial regression modelsCOVID-19 pandemicAlcohol harmMental illnessEmployment statusSelf-reportCOVID-19Regression modelsPre-pandemicEmployment changesDepressionParticipantsAssociation