scholarly journals Factors Associated with Mental Health Outcomes in Oman during COVID19: Frontline vs Non-frontline Healthcare Workers

Author(s):  
Muna Alshekaili ◽  
Walid Hassan ◽  
Nazik Al Said ◽  
Fatima Alsulaimani ◽  
Sathish Kumar Jayapal ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess and compare demographic and psychological factors and sleep status of frontline HCWs in relation to non-frontline HCWs DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey from the 8th to the 17th of April 2020 across varied health care settings in Oman accruing 1139 HCWS. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Mental health status was assessed using Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21), and insomnia was evaluated by the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Samples were categorized into the frontline and non-frontline groups. Chi-square, odds ratio, and independent t-tests were used to compare groups by demographic and mental health outcomes. Results This study included 1139 HCWs working in Oman. There was a total of 368 (32.3%), 388 (34.1%), 271 (23.8%), and 211 (18.5%) respondents reported to have depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia, respectively while working during the pandemic period. HCWs in the frontline group were 1.4 times more likely to have anxiety (OR=1.401, p=0.007) and stress (OR=1.404, p=0.015) as compared to those working in the non-frontline group. On indices of sleep-wake cycles, HCWs in the frontline group were 1.37 times more likely to report insomnia (OR=1.377, p=0.037) when compared to those working in the non-frontline group. No significant differences in depression status between workers in the frontline and non-frontline groups were found (p=0.181). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the differential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on different grades of HCWs. This study suggests that frontline HCWs are disproportionally affected compared to non-frontline HCWs. The problem with managing sleep-wake cycles and anxiety symptoms were highly endorsed among frontline HCWs. As psychosocial interventions are likely to be constrained owing to the pandemic, mental health care must first be directed to frontline HCWs.

2020 ◽  
Vol 119 ◽  
pp. 105658
Author(s):  
Abu Sayeed ◽  
Satyajit Kundu ◽  
Md. Hasan Al Banna ◽  
M. Tasdik Hasan ◽  
Musammet Rasheda Begum ◽  
...  

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248684
Author(s):  
Hridaya Raj Devkota ◽  
Tula Ram Sijali ◽  
Ramji Bogati ◽  
Meraj Ahmad ◽  
Karuna Laxmi Shakya ◽  
...  

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has been creating a panic and distressing situations among the entire population globally including Nepal. No study has been conducted assessing the psychological impact of this pandemic on the general public in Nepal. The objective of this study is to assess the mental health status during COVID-19 outbreak and explore the potential influencing factors among the population attending the hospital fever clinics with COVID–19 symptoms. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May—June, 2020 with a sample of 645 participants aged 18 and above in 26 hospitals across Nepal. Telephone interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire along with a validated psychometric tool, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS-21) scale. The metrics and scores of symptoms and their severity were created and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the association of potential covariates with outcome variables. Results The prevalence of anxiety, depression and stress were 14%, 7% and 5% respectively. In reference to Karnali, participants from Bagmati province reported higher level of anxiety (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.31–9.06), while stress (OR 4.27, 95% CI 1.09–18.32) and depressive symptoms (OR 3.11, 95% CI 1.05–9.23) observed higher among the participants in Province 1. Women were more at risk of anxiety (OR 3.41, 95% CI 1.83–6.36) than men. Similarly, people currently living in rented houses reported more stress (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.05–8.43) and those living far from family reported higher rates of depressive symptoms (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.03–11.46). Conclusion The study identified increased prevalence of stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms during the initial stage of COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal. Considering the findings, there is urgent need to develop and implement appropriate community-based mental health programs targeting individuals who have had COVID-19 symptoms and who are prone to develop adverse mental health outcomes.


Author(s):  
Juhi Lohiya ◽  
Vrinda Saxena ◽  
Garima Bhambhani ◽  
Shweta Chaturvedi ◽  
Swapnil Jain ◽  
...  

Background: The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has loaded remarkable psychological stress on people around the world, predominantly the Health Care Professionals (HCPs). The present study aimed to assess anxiety and fear of getting infected among HCPs working during the current viral outbreak. Also, doctors' knowledge about various practice modifications to combat the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has been evaluated.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on Health care professionals (HCPs) of Madhya Pradesh India using an online survey. A pretested and pre-validated questionnaire was designed on Google forms and link generated was shared through social media. A total of 320 doctors from different cities of Madhya Pradesh have participated in the study. A Chi-Square and Spearman Correlation test was applied using SPSS version 25.Results: Present Study reveals that more than two-thirds of HCPs (80%) were anxious and worried about the overwhelming effect of COVID-19. Among HCPs, dental professionals (61%) unfolded greater fear and anxiety level than the medical professionals. The majority of participants (92%) were updated with good knowledge and awareness of recent changes in the treatment protocols regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the implementation of modifying treatment protocol was recorded as 71%.Conclusions: High psychosomatic implications of COVID -19 outbursts were seen in HCPs while working in their respective fields. So providing psychological first aid is a significant care component for populations that have been victims of emergencies and disasters.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline Hajj ◽  
Danielle A Badro ◽  
Carla Abou Selwan ◽  
Hala Sacre ◽  
Randa Aoun ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Emergency plans to contain the COVID-19 failed to take into consideration the repercussions of the combined economic and sanitary crisis among the most vulnerable populations who might be disproportionately affected, including women and abused people. This study primarily aimed to assess the effects of the COVID-19 and economy-related variables on Lebanese adults’ mental health, focusing on gender differences.Methods: An online-based cross-sectional study was conducted between May 10-20, 2020, using validated scales. All adults living in Lebanon, with access to the internet, were eligible, regardless of their age, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, gender identity, religion, geography, ability, and culture (n=502).Results: The multivariate analysis, adjusted on sociodemographic characteristics, economic, and coronavirus-related variables, showed that women exhibit higher levels of stress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) than men. Moreover, violence at home was associated with more stress and insomnia, with borderline results for anxiety and well-being. No significant difference was found for PTSS. Conclusion: In the context of combined health and economic crises, mental health outcomes are not equally felt by women. Additional studies in a few months would help better understand the long-term impact, especially on PTSS and QOL, which might not be perceptible during the crisis. Focused public health strategies are warranted to support and protect the most vulnerable populations.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e040620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ru Jia ◽  
Kieran Ayling ◽  
Trudie Chalder ◽  
Adam Massey ◽  
Elizabeth Broadbent ◽  
...  

ObjectivesPrevious pandemics have resulted in significant consequences for mental health. Here, we report the mental health sequelae of the COVID-19 pandemic in a UK cohort and examine modifiable and non-modifiable explanatory factors associated with mental health outcomes. We focus on the first wave of data collection, which examined short-term consequences for mental health, as reported during the first 4–6 weeks of social distancing measures being introduced.DesignCross-sectional online survey.SettingCommunity cohort study.ParticipantsN=3097 adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through a mainstream and social media campaign between 3 April 2020 and 30 April 2020. The cohort was predominantly female (n=2618); mean age 44 years; 10% (n=296) from minority ethnic groups; 50% (n=1559) described themselves as key workers and 20% (n=649) identified as having clinical risk factors putting them at increased risk of COVID-19.Main outcome measuresDepression, anxiety and stress scores.ResultsMean scores for depression (x- =7.69, SD=6.0), stress (x- =6.48, SD=3.3) and anxiety (x- = 6.48, SD=3.3) significantly exceeded population norms (all p<0.0001). Analysis of non-modifiable factors hypothesised to be associated with mental health outcomes indicated that being younger, female and in a recognised COVID-19 risk group were associated with increased stress, anxiety and depression, with the final multivariable models accounting for 7%–14% of variance. When adding modifiable factors, significant independent effects emerged for positive mood, perceived loneliness and worry about getting COVID-19 for all outcomes, with the final multivariable models accounting for 54%–57% of total variance.ConclusionsIncreased psychological morbidity was evident in this UK sample and found to be more common in younger people, women and in individuals who identified as being in recognised COVID-19 risk groups. Public health and mental health interventions able to ameliorate perceptions of risk of COVID-19, worry about COVID-19 loneliness and boost positive mood may be effective.


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