scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and related isolation measures on violence against children in Egypt

Author(s):  
Seham Ahmed AboKresha ◽  
Elsayed Abdelkreem ◽  
Rasha Abd Elhameed Ali

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and related isolation measures have substantial adverse economic, social, and psychological consequences and expose children to increased risk of violence. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on violence against children in Egypt. Methods An online survey, in Arabic, was disseminated during the period from 9 to 13 April 2020, to parents of children who were up to 18 years old residing in Egypt, selected using a snowball sampling technique, during the period from 25 March to 8 April during the implementation of the nationwide compulsory isolation measures against COVID-19 (25 March to 8 April 2020). The survey covered three areas: socio-demographic data, psychological impact measured using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and violence against children during the past 2 weeks measured using a modified parent-report of a child abuse screening tool (ICAST-P) developed by the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. Results Out of 1118 completed survey responses, 90.5% of children were subjected to violent discipline, 88.7% experienced psychological aggression, and 43.2% encountered severe physical punishment. Approximately 60% of respondents reported a moderate-to-severe psychological impact (IES-R scores ≥ 33), which was associated with a higher rate of violent discipline (OR: 9.3; 95% CI: 5.37–16.027; p < 0.001). Conclusions This is the first study in Egypt to provide evidence on the association of COVID-19 pandemic, its psychological impact, and increased rates of violence against children. Effective multilevel strategies are urgently required to protect children from violence and its catastrophic consequences during the continually evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 2976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Alvares Duarte Bonini Campos ◽  
Bianca Gonzalez Martins ◽  
Lucas Arrais Campos ◽  
João Marôco ◽  
Rayya Ahmed Saadiq ◽  
...  

Background: Isolation measures used to contain epidemics generate social interaction restrictions and impose changes in routines of the public that increase negative psychological outcomes. Anxiety and depression are the most common symptoms. Objective: To evaluate the mental health of the Brazilian population during the SARs-CoV-2 pandemic and its relationship with demographic and health characteristics. Methods: Adults from all Brazilian States participated (n = 12,196; women: 69.8%, mean age = 35.2 years). The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and the Impact of Event Scale–revised were used (online survey). Data validity and reliability were verified by confirmatory factor analysis and ordinal alpha coefficient. The probability of presenting psychological symptoms was calculated by multiple logistic regression and odds ratio (OR) (0 = without symptoms, 1 = with mild, moderate, and severe levels of symptoms). Results: High prevalence of depression (61.3%), anxiety (44.2%), stress (50.8%), and psychological impact (54.9%) due to the isolation experienced from the pandemic was found. Younger individuals (OR = 1.58–3.58), those that felt unsafe (OR = 1.75–2.92), with a previous diagnosis of mental health (OR = 1.72–2.64) and/or had general health problems before the pandemic (OR = 1.17–1.51), who noticed changes in their mental state due to the pandemic context (OR = 2.53–9.07), and excessively exposed to the news (OR = 1.19–2.18) were at increased risk of developing symptoms. Women (OR = 1.35–1.65) and those with lower economic status (OR = 1.38–2.69) were more likely to develop psychological symptoms. Lower educational levels increased the likelihood of depressive (OR = 1.03–1.34) and intrusive symptoms (OR = 1.09–1.51). Conclusions: The pandemic and related factors can have a high impact on the mental health of the population. Demographic characteristics can influence the occurrence of psychological symptoms.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Musheer A. Aljaberi ◽  
Naser A. Alareqe ◽  
Mousa A. Qasem ◽  
Abdulsamad Alsalahi ◽  
Sarah Noman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Due to the limited research examining the psychological impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), our study aims to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological outcomes and assess the differences between participants with and without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on the psychological outcomes as latent factors and items. Methods: An online survey was conducted on 999 participants. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) assessed the psychological impact, while outcomes were measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). A series of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), structural equation model (SEM), Multiple Indicators and Multiple Causes (MIMIC), and Differential Item Functioning (DIF) were conducted. Results: The IES-R has significant effects on the psychological outcomes. Participants with PTSD have a higher impact on latent factors (depression, anxiety, and insomnia) than those without PTSD. Among participants, 36.5% experienced moderate to severe symptoms of depression, and 32.6% had mild depressive symptoms. For anxiety, 23.7% of respondents experienced moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, and 33.1% had mild symptoms of anxiety. For the ISI, 51.5% of participants experienced symptoms of insomnia. Conclusion: the IES-R for COVID-19 has a significant impact on depression, anxiety, and insomnia at the level of latent constructs and observed variables.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Davico ◽  
Ada Ghiggia ◽  
Daniele Marcotulli ◽  
Federica Ricci ◽  
Federico Amianto ◽  
...  

Aim: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has abruptly changed the life of millions as travel and social contacts have been severely restricted. We assessed the psychological impact of COVID-19 on adults and children, with special attention to health care workers (HCWs).Methods: A self-rated online survey, including the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) for adults and the Children Revised Impact of Event Scale-Revised-13 items (CRIES-13) for their 8–18-year-old offspring, was conducted in Italy on March 20–26, 2020. Linear mixed-effects models were applied to the data, accounting for age, sex, education, and other demographic characteristics.Results: Data were available from 2,419 adults (78.4% females, mean age 38.1 ± SD 13.1 years; 15.7% HCW) and 786 children (50.1% male, mean age 12.3 ± 3.2 years). Median (IQR) IES-R score was 30.0 (21.0–40.0), corresponding to mild psychological impact, with 33.2% reporting severe psychological impact. IES-R was lower in HCWs (29.0) than non-HCWs (31.0), but HCWs directly involved in COVID-19 care had higher scores [33.0 (26.0–43.2)] than uninvolved HCWs [28.0 (19.0–36.0)]. Median CRIES-13 score was [21.0 (11.0–32.0)], with 30.9% of the children at high risk for post-traumatic stress disorder. Parent and child scores were correlated.Conclusions: Up to 30% of adult and children in the pandemic area are at high risk for post-traumatic stress disturbances. The risk is greater for HCWs directly involved in COVID-19 care and for their children.


Author(s):  
Lucía del Río-Casanova ◽  
Milagrosa Sánchez-Martín ◽  
Ana García-Dantas ◽  
Anabel González-Vázquez ◽  
Ania Justo

Background: Current research has pointed out an increased risk of mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in women compared to men, however the reason for this difference remains unclear. The aim of this research is to study early psychological responses to the pandemic in the Spanish general population, focusing on gender differences. Methods: Nine to 14 days after the declaration of a state of emergency an online survey was conducted assessing sociodemographic, health, behavioral and COVID-19-related variables. Mental health status was evaluated by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Self-Care Scale (SCS). Results: The study included 3520 respondents: 2611 women and 909 men. Women scored significantly higher in DASS-21 and IES-R (p < 0.05) and were more likely to somatize, suffer from hypochondriasis, sleeping disturbances and claustrophobia (p < 0.05). Being a woman can be considered a risk factor for intrusive thoughts, avoidance mechanisms, stress and anxiety (Odd Ratio = 2.7/2.3/2.3/1.6). The risk of presenting posttraumatic symptoms and emotional distress was greater in women (Odd Ratio = 6.77/4.59). General linear models to predict IES-R and DASS-21 scores clarified which variables were gender specific, such as main concerns. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that at early stages of the pandemic, women mental health was more impacted and that both genders show different concerns. Gender perspective in secondary and tertiary prevention strategies must be taken into account when facing the distress associated with the pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Odriozola-González ◽  
Álvaro Planchuelo-Gómez ◽  
María Jesús Irurtia-Muñiz ◽  
Rodrigo de Luis-García

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychological impact of COVID-19 in the university community during the first weeks of confinement. A cross-sectional study was conducted. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was employed to assess symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. The emotional impact of the situation was analyzed using the Impact of Event Scale. An online survey was fulfilled by 2530 members of the University of Valladolid, in Spain. Moderate to extremely severe scores of anxiety, depression, and stress were reported by 21.34%, 34.19% and 28.14% of the respondents, respectively. A total of 50.43% of respondents presented moderate to severe impact of the outbreak. Students from Arts &amp; Humanities and Social Sciences &amp; Law showed higher scores related to anxiety, depression, stress and impact of event with respect to students from Engineering &amp; Architecture. University staff presented lower scores in all measures compared to students, who seem to have suffered an important psychological impact during the first weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown. In order to provide timely crisis-oriented psychological services and to take preventive measures in future pandemic situations, mental health in university students should be carefully monitored.


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-367
Author(s):  
Aaliya Khanam ◽  
Shabir Ahmad Dar ◽  
Zaid Ahmad Wani ◽  
Naveed Nazir Shah ◽  
Inaamul Haq ◽  
...  

Background: Frontline healthcare workers (FHCWs) are at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. We aimed to assess the stress and psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among FHCWs. Methods: This was an exploratory hospital-based study. A semistructured e-questionnaire was developed and shared through emails, WhatsApp groups, Facebook, and Twitter. The study instruments used were stress questionnaire and the impact of event scale—revised. Results: We received 133 valid responses. A total of 81 (61.4%) of the respondents were single, 74 (55.6) were male, 70 (52.6%) were between 20 and 29 years of age, and 91 (68.4%) were from urban background. A total of 83 (62.4%) of respondents were doctors and 28 (21.1%) were registered nurses. A total of 36 (27.1%) were posted in emergency and 34 (25.6%) were in the in-patient department. Feeling sad and pessimistic, feeling of being avoided by others, the burden of change in the quality of work, and worrying whether the family will be cared for in their absence were significantly more in nurses as compared to the doctors. Stress due to burden in an increase in the quantity of work was seen more in FHCWs working in the swab collection center as compared to those working in the in-patient department, emergency, or theaters. Severe psychological impact was seen in 81 (60.9%) of FHCWs. The psychological impact was significantly more in males and in those who were married. It was also significantly related to the place of posting. Conclusion: More than half of the FHCWs had a severe psychological impact owing to COVID-19. The psychological impact was more in males and those who were married, and it was related to the place of posting of the FHCWs. Nurses had significantly higher stress as compared to doctors.


2020 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ali Fardin ◽  
Mahmoud Shirazi ◽  
Sophia Khaneghahi

Background: Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, which has exponentially spread across the world, the number of cases and deaths in Iran has been higher than in other Middle Eastern countries. This has brought about and will lead to unprecedented psychological and emotional consequences. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the psychological impacts of COVID-19 on the general public's emotional state in Iran. Methods: An online survey was conducted from March 24-26. Participants were selected using a snowball sampling technique. The online survey collected information on demographic data. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) were used to collect data. Results: In total, 428 respondents from 62 cities participated in this study. The linear regression analysis showed a significant association between the COVID-19 outbreak and the negative general public's emotional state in Iran, indicating that the COVID-19 outbreak increased negative states (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The COVID-19 outbreak has caused a direct and effective impact on all aspects of life. Negative emotions are the main consequence of the outbreak. So mental health teams should be formed in the media to improve the emotions of the general public by providing online or in-person psychological services with complete and updated treatment information and programs.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lian Xiong ◽  
Liangshi Yan ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
Chu Yang

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to study the psychological impact of COVID-19 on Chinese residents outside the Hubei province and the relationship among impact of event, self-regulated fatigue and self-control. Subject and Methods: The 400 questionnaires had been collected through an online survey platform from 30th January to 2nd February in 2020 and included 4 parts: (1) sociodemographic data; (2)The revised version of the Impact of Event Scale(IES-R); (3) Self-Regulatory Fatigue Scale(SRF-S); (4)Self control scale (SCS). Results: (1)There were significant differences between different levels of sociodemographic variables on IES-R, SRF-S and SCS; (2) 75 (18.75%) residents reported a moderate-severe psychological impact; (3)There were significant differences between the previous researches and current study;(4)the high-score group of SCS had got significantly higher scores on SRF-S and IES-R. (5) Self-regulated fatigue partially mediated the relationship between impact of event and self-control. Conclusion: We found that the residents suffered a psychological impact during the outbreak of COVID-19 .The more self-control they were, the more self-regulated fatigue and psychological impact they suffered, and self-control could not only had an direct influence on psychological impact but also had affected it indirectly through self-regulated fatigue.


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (01) ◽  
pp. 026-033
Author(s):  
Bhuvaneswari Rajachandrasekar ◽  
K. C. Muraleedharan ◽  
Neethu Raj ◽  
Sakthivel Vaiyapuri ◽  
Aneena MS

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to surge throughout the entire world. Most of the impacted countries implemented preventive measures and lockdown to control the spread of the disease. This restriction developed psychological resilience in a wide range of the population. The objective of this study is to explore the impact on the mental health of the individuals caused by the unforeseen lockdown. Methods A cross-sectional online survey form had been designed leveraging the Google form. In the introduction section, the purpose of study and the details of the investigators were elaborately explained. The survey response was voluntary and ensured the confidentiality of the responder. The online survey consent procedures were well documented and shared with the participants. The Google forms were circulated through various social media platforms for data capturing, and the data were analysed using statistical software SPSS 23.0. A chi-squared test was performed to determine the association between demographic data and emotional data during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Result A total of 2,150 responses were received out of which two of them were discarded due to insufficient data so total 2,148 responses were taken for analysis. The prevalence rate of emotional disturbance is 56.8% and 43.2% in females and males respectively (p-value = 0.001). The participant age ranges between 18 and 98 years, the mean age of participants is 33.25 years and the standard deviation is 12.24. The emotional disturbance response data are significantly associated with marital status (p-value = 0.021), socioeconomic status (p-value < 0.001), occupation (p-value = 0.019), loved one who were affected with COVID-19 (p-value = 0.034), preventive medicines taken (p-value = 0.017), sleep disturbance (p-value < 0.001), need of psychological support (p-value = 0.001), difficulty in monthly bill settlement (p-value < 0.0001), anxiouness and worry all the time during COVID-19 (p-value < 0.0001). Conclusion The survey data discovered the significant association between lockdown during COVID-19 and the emotional disturbance of the general population. These findings required additional research to identify mental health further.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khanh Ngoc Cong Duong ◽  
Tien Nguyen Le Bao ◽  
Phuong Thi Lan Nguyen ◽  
Thanh Vo Van ◽  
Toi Phung Lam ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The first nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was implemented in Vietnam from April 1 to 15, 2020. Nevertheless, there has been limited information on the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological health of the public. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological issues and identify the factors associated with the psychological impact of COVID-19 during the first nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. METHODS We employed a cross-sectional study design with convenience sampling. A self-administered, online survey was used to collect data and assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants from April 10 to 15, 2020. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were utilized to assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants during social distancing due to COVID-19. Associations across factors were explored using regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 1385 respondents completed the survey. Of this, 35.9% (n=497) experienced psychological distress, as well as depression (n=325, 23.5%), anxiety (n=195, 14.1%), and stress (n=309, 22.3%). Respondents who evaluated their physical health as average had a higher IES-R score (beta coefficient [B]=9.16, 95% CI 6.43 to 11.89), as well as higher depression (B=5.85, 95% CI 4.49 to 7.21), anxiety (B=3.64, 95% CI 2.64 to 4.63), and stress (B=5.19, 95% CI 3.83 to 6.56) scores for DASS-21 than those who rated their health as good or very good. Those who self-reported their health as bad or very bad experienced more severe depression (B=9.57, 95% CI 4.54 to 14.59), anxiety (B=7.24, 95% CI 3.55 to 10.9), and stress (B=10.60, 95% CI 5.56 to 15.65). Unemployment was more likely to be associated with depression (B=3.34, 95% CI 1.68 to 5.01) and stress (B=2.34, 95% CI 0.84 to 3.85). Regarding worries about COVID-19, more than half (n=755, 54.5%) expressed concern for their children aged &lt;18 years, which increased their IES-R score (B=7.81, 95% CI 4.98 to 10.64) and DASS-21 stress score (B=1.75, 95% CI 0.27 to 3.24). The majority of respondents (n=1335, 96.4%) were confident about their doctor’s expertise in terms of COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, which was positively associated with less distress caused by the outbreak (B=–7.84, 95% CI –14.58 to –1.11). CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the effect of COVID-19 on mental health during the nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. The study provides useful evidence for policy decision makers to develop and implement interventions to mitigate these impacts. CLINICALTRIAL


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