scholarly journals Mental health symptoms during the first months of the COVID-19 outbreak in Norway: A cross-sectional survey study

2021 ◽  
pp. 140349482110595
Author(s):  
Kristen Hagen ◽  
Stian Solem ◽  
Anne Kristin Stavrum ◽  
Jarle Eid ◽  
Gerd Kvale ◽  
...  

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to major social and economic changes that could impact public mental health. The main aim of the current study was to investigate mental health in Norway during the COVID-19 outbreak (since the first confirmed case on 26 February 2020). Methods: The results are from the first wave of the data collection (1 April–2 June 2020), which took place during the outbreak along with its initial restrictions. A total of 19,372 (11,883 students) people participated in a cross-sectional web-based survey. Results: A total of 21.8% scored above the cut-off for depression and 23.7% for anxiety. Severity of symptoms was associated with the accumulation of risk factors, such as possible/confirmed infection for oneself or one’s family, female/other sex, students, having mental health problems, increased use of tobacco, increased use of alcohol, less exercise, losing one’s job, suffering economic impact and lower education. Conclusions: COVID-19 could have a negative association with public mental health, especially for certain risk groups. Future data-collection waves will provide further insight into the development of symptoms following the pandemic.

Author(s):  
B. L. Edirisinghe ◽  
W. M. S. S. K. Kulathunga

Mental and behavioral disorders are the 13% of the global burden of diseases. Mental health problems are common among children and young people estimated 13.4% affected by any metal disorders.(3) Today mental health problems are emerging more strongly as a public health problems presenting increase of the prevalence of substance and alcohol abuse and the world‘s highest suicide rates. Objective of this survey is study was to identify the mental health status of the newly recruited Ayurvedic medical Practitioners. Descriptive cross sectional survey study was carried out among total population of newly recruited Ayurvedic Practitioners by using self-administered questionnaire. Study conducted at the Institute of Indigenous Medicine. Data collection was carried out by the principal investigator during the period of their training. The response rate was 85.7% (107). The female doctors represented the majority of the participants measured 70.15 (75). Age ranged from 25-45years with mean of 33.1 (SD 2.30). Findings from the study revealed 100 (93.5%) of the respondents are within age range 31-40 yrs. The marital status of the respondents were 82.2% (88) of them are married, unmarried 15.9% (17) and widower 1.9%(2). 95.3% (102) of the respondents are Buddhists and 4.7% (5) are Christians. Also study indicates those 46.7% (50) respondents from semi urban, 42.1% (45) from urban and 11.2% (12) from rural. Nutritional status of the respondents, 56.1% (60) of them are with normal weight, 5.6%(6) of them were underweight and 38.3% (41) overweight. The majority of the respondents 90.7% (97) are with Normal mental health. But 9.3% of the respondents were presented with mild impairment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Pang ◽  
Meng Li ◽  
Connor Robbs ◽  
Jingyun Wang ◽  
Samiksha F. Jain ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic poses mental health challenges to frontline healthcare workers. Eye care professionals may be especially susceptible to mental health problems due to high-risk exposures to patients. Yet, no prior research has studied mental health issues among eye care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic among eye care professionals. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey study among eye care professionals and students in the United States and Canada from June 23 to July 8, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 8505 eye care professionals and students received email invitations to the survey and 2134 participated. We measured mental health outcomes including symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress using validated scales, as well as potential risk factors including demographic characteristics, state-level COVID-19 case counts, participants’ patient interactions, childcare responsibilities, and pre-pandemic stress levels. Linear multiple regression and logistic regression analyses were used to determine relationships between risk factors and mental health outcomes. Results We found that 38.4% of eyecare professional participants in the survey met screening threshold as probable cases of anxiety, depression, or both during the COVID-19 pandemic. Controlling for self-reported pre-pandemic stress level and state COVID-19 case daily cases, significant risk factors for depression, anxiety, and psychological stress during the COVID-19 pandemic included: being female, younger age, and being Black or Asian. Interestingly, we found two somewhat surprising protective factors against depression symptoms: more frequent interactions with patients and having a greater proportion of childcare responsibilities at home. Conclusions This study showed a high prevalence of mental health problems and revealed disparities in mental health among eye care personnel and students: Female, younger, Black, and Asian populations are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues. These results indicate that it is critical to identify mental health issues more effectively and develop interventions among this population to address this significant and growing public health issue. The strategies and policies should be reflective of the demographic disparities in this vulnerable population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Ali ◽  
Ahmed Abdelaziz Ismail ◽  
Ahmed Abdalwahab

Background: Since the announcement of the World Health Organization of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, the probability of experiencing psychological disturbances and mental health problems among the frontline doctors who deal early with the suspected or confirmed patients is expected to increase, especially among anesthesia and ICU physicians. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude of mental stress among anesthesia and ICU physicians in Cairo university hospitals, Egypt, treating patients exposed to COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional, survey-based study collected the demographic and mental health data from anesthesia and ICU physicians working in Cairo university hospitals from March 15 to April 15, 2020, in Egypt. The level of stress was assessed by the perceived stress scale (PSS-10). Results: A total of 193 out of 315 contacted physicians completed the survey. A significant proportion of participants (65%) experienced high levels of psychological distress during this acute situation, with the PSS-10 median score of 21 in the registrar group and 18 in the consultant group; the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.03). The most common causes of stress among the participants were the fears that they might transmit the disease to their loved people and the lack of a clear protocol on how to deal with COVID-19 cases, either suspected or confirmed. Conclusions: In this survey study, anesthesia and ICU physicians responding to the spread of COVID-19 reported high rates of symptoms of mental stress.


Author(s):  
Md. Omar Faruk ◽  
Mohammed A. Mamun ◽  
Abu Bakkar Siddique ◽  
Mark D. Griffiths

AbstractDental students are highly prone to mental health suffering due to the stressors related to their educational, academic, and clinical environment. However, there are no previous studies that evaluated the mental health problems among dental students in Bangladesh. Therefore, the present study assessed the prevalence of depression and anxiety and its covariates. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among the students of five (out of a total of nine) Bangladeshi public dental institutes. The survey included the Patient Health Questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, and questions relating to sociodemographic factors, personal suffering, and family mental health history. Results indicated that the prevalence rates for moderate to severe depression and anxiety were 27.4% and 18.2%, respectively. The risk factors for depression and anxiety were being female, coming from city areas, having past-year psychological and physical suffering, having past-year traumatic events, and having a family history of mental illness, as well as a range of suicide-related behaviors. The prevalence rates of depression and anxiety in the present study were relatively lower than other dental student cohorts residing outside Bangladesh. Further investigations are suggested based on the limitations and strengths of the present study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-32
Author(s):  
Reyna Jazmín Martínez Arriaga ◽  
Leivy Patricia González Ramírez ◽  
Nancy Evelyn Navarro Ruiz ◽  
José María De la Roca -Chiapas ◽  
Oscar Ulises Reynoso González

Introducción: El personal de enfermería es uno de los grupos más afectados por la actual pandemia por COVID-19. Se han reportado problemas de salud mental en esta población, sin embargo, también es importante estudiar la resiliencia, para identificar sus fortalezas. El objetivo de este estudio fue estudiar la resiliencia en enfermeros mexicanos y los factores sociodemográficos y de salud mental asociados a ella. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal.Método: Se envió vía online un cuestionario sociodemográfico y relacionado a COVID-19, así como el Inventario de Resiliencia y el Cuestionario General de Salud-28. Se incluyeron 556 enfermeros, la mayoría fueron mujeres (80%), solteras (60.8%) y con edades entre 26-35 años (38.3%).Resultados: Se encontraron niveles bajos de resiliencia en los enfermeros más jóvenes (p<0.001, ɳ2=0.05), solteros (p<0.001, ɳ2=0.02) y con menor nivel educativo (p=0.001, ɳ2=0.02). Los predictores de resiliencia fueron la búsqueda de información sobre salud mental (β =-0.152, p <0.001), nivel educativo más alto (β = 0.142, p<0.001), niveles bajos de depresión (β=-0.307, p<0.001) y bajos niveles de disfunción social (β =-0.261, p<0.001).Conclusión: Estos hallazgos permiten identificar los factores asociados a la resiliencia en los enfermeros y cómo estos juegan un rol muy importante en su salud mental. Asimismo, estos datos permiten la identificación de grupos con mayor riesgo psicosocial, con la finalidad de guiar estrategias en salud mental orientadas a aumentar la resiliencia. Introduction: Nursing personnel are one of the groups which have been most affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Although mental health problems have been reported in this population, it is important to study resilience, in order to identify its strengths. The purpose was to study resilience in Mexican nurses and the mental health and sociodemographic factors associated with it. A cross-sectional study was used. Method: A sociodemographic and COVID-19 related questionnaire, the Resilience Inventory and the General Health Questionnaire-28, was sent via online. 556 nurses were included, the majority were women (80%), single (60.8%), aged between 26-35 years (38.3%). Results: Lower resilience was found among nurses who were younger (p<0.001, ɳ2=0.05), single (p<0.001, ɳ2=0.02) and with lower levels of education (p=0.001, ɳ2=0.02). Predictors of resilience included the search for mental health information (β =-0.152, p <0.001), higher education (β = 0.142, p<0.001), low levels of depression (β=-0.307, p<0.001) and low levels of social dysfunction (β =-0.261, p<0.001). Conclusion: This findings allowed to identify the factors which are associated with resilience among nurses and how this plays an important role in their mental. Likewise, this data allows for the identification of high psychosocial risk groups, to better guide mental health strategies aimed at increasing resilience. Resumo:Introdução:O pessoal de enfermagem é um dos grupos mais afetados pela atual pandemia de COVID-19. Problemas de saúde mental têm sido relatados nessa população, porém também é importante estudar a resiliência, para identificar seus pontos fortes. O objetivo deste estudo foi estudar a resiliência em enfermeiras mexicanas e os fatores sociodemográficos e de saúde mental a ela associados. Foi realizado um estudo transversal.Método:Um questionário sociodemográfico relacionado ao COVID-19 foi enviado online, assim como o Resilience Inventory e o General Health Questionnaire-28. Foram incluídos 556 enfermeiros, a maioria mulheres (80%), solteiros (60,8%) e com idade entre 26-35 anos (38,3%).Resultados:Baixos níveis de resiliência foram encontrados nos enfermeiros mais jovens (p <0,001, ɳ2 = 0,05), solteiros (p <0,001, ɳ2 = 0,02) e com menor escolaridade (p = 0,001, ɳ2 = 0,02). Os preditores de resiliência foram a busca por informações sobre saúde mental (β = -0,152, p <0,001), maior escolaridade (β = 0,142, p <0,001), baixos níveis de depressão (β = -0,307, p <0,001 ) e baixos níveis de disfunção social (β = -0,261, p <0,001).Conclusão:Esses achados permitem identificar os fatores associados à resiliência em enfermeiros e como eles desempenham um papel muito importante em sua saúde mental. Da mesma forma, esses dados permitem identificar grupos de maior risco psicossocial, a fim de nortear estratégias de saúde mental que visem aumentar a resiliência.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshito Nishimura ◽  
Kanako Ochi ◽  
Kazuki Tokumasu ◽  
Mikako Obika ◽  
Hideharu Hagiya ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected medical education. However, little data are available about medical students’ distress during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to provide details on how medical students have been affected by the pandemic. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 717 medical students participated in the web-based survey. The survey included questions about how the participants’ mental status had changed from before to after the Japanese nationwide state of emergency (SOE). RESULTS Out of 717 medical students, 473 (66.0%) participated in the study. In total, 29.8% (141/473) of the students reported concerns about the shift toward online education, mostly because they thought online education would be ineffective compared with in-person learning. The participants’ subjective mental health status significantly worsened after the SOE was lifted (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). Those who had concerns about a shift toward online education had higher odds of having generalized anxiety and being depressed (odds ratio [OR] 1.97, 95% CI 1.19-3.28) as did those who said they would request food aid (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.16-3.44) and mental health care resources (OR 3.56, 95% CI 2.07-6.15). CONCLUSIONS Given our findings, the sudden shift to online education might have overwhelmed medical students. Thus, we recommend that educators inform learners that online learning is not inferior to in-person learning, which could attenuate potential depression and anxiety.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agata Debowska ◽  
Beata Horeczy ◽  
Daniel Boduszek ◽  
Dariusz Dolinski

Abstract Background The time of widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases can lead to elevated stress and mental health problems among all persons affected, and in particular those sub-groups of the population that are at an increased risk of mental health problems. One such vulnerable group constitutes university students. The aim of this study is to assess stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidality among different groups of university students (medical, psychology, and other). Methods Using a repeated cross-sectional study design, we collected survey data among a large sample of 7228 university students from Poland (mean age = 22.78, s.d. = 4.40; 81% female). Data were collected in five waves, during the first 2 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe (March and April 2020). Results The results demonstrate a significant increase in depression levels as the pandemic was progressing. We also found that female students scored significantly higher than male students on depression, anxiety, and stress. Psychology students recorded the lowest scores on depression and anxiety. Young adult students (aged 18–24 years) had more symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidality than adult students (⩾25 years). Conclusions These results provide insights into stress and mental health among university students during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings can be used for a more effective identification of students who may struggle during next stages of the pandemic and future crises.


Author(s):  
Ji-Yeon Shin ◽  
Jiseun Lim ◽  
Myung Ki ◽  
Yeong-Jun Song ◽  
Heeran Chun ◽  
...  

Magnitudes of health inequalities present consequences of socioeconomic impact on each health problem. To provide knowledge on the size of health problems in terms of socioeconomic burden, we examined the magnitudes and patterns of health inequalities across 12 health problems. A total of 17,292 participants older than 30 years were drawn from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2010–2012). The age-adjusted prevalence ratios were compared across socioeconomic positions (SEPs) based on income, education, and occupation. The magnitudes of socioeconomic inequalities varied across 12 health problems and, in general, the patterns of socioeconomic inequalities were similar among groups of health problems (i.e., non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, and subjective health states). Significant health inequalities across NCDs, such as diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and arthritis, were observed mainly in women. Socioeconomic inequalities in mental health problems, such as depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts, were profound for both genders and across SEP measures. Significant socioeconomic inequalities were also observed for subjective health. No or weak associations were observed for injury and HBV infection. The patterns of socioeconomic inequalities were similar among groups of health problems. Mental illnesses appeared to require prioritization of socioeconomic approaches for improvement in terms of absolute prevalence and relative socioeconomic distribution.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 577-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Isaksson ◽  
E. Corker ◽  
J. Cotney ◽  
S. Hamilton ◽  
V. Pinfold ◽  
...  

Aims.Mental health stigma and discrimination are significant problems. Common coping orientations include: concealing mental health problems, challenging others and educating others. We describe the use of common stigma coping orientations and explain variations within a sample of English mental health service users.Methods.Cross-sectional survey data were collected as part of the Viewpoint survey of mental health service users’ experiences of discrimination (n = 3005). Linear regression analyses were carried out to identify factors associated with the three stigma coping orientations.Results.The most common coping orientation was to conceal mental health problems (73%), which was strongly associated with anticipated discrimination. Only 51% ever challenged others because of discriminating behaviour, this being related to experienced discrimination, but also to higher confidence to tackle stigma.Conclusions.Although stigma coping orientations vary by context, individuals often choose to conceal problems, which is associated with greater anticipated and experienced discrimination and less confidence to challenge stigma. The direction of this association requires further investigation.


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