scholarly journals The role of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic on anxiety and stress among the Palestinian general population: A cross sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamzeh Al Zabadi ◽  
Maryam Haj-Yahya ◽  
Noor Yaseen ◽  
Thair Alhroub

Abstract BackgroundImplication of quarantine as a global response to COVID-19 may have created a dramatic psychological and emotional effect on people, which are yet to be studied and thoroughly understood. We aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of anxiety and stress severity among the Palestinian population.MethodsA cross-sectional web-based survey throughout the social media on internet was conducted. An anonymous online questionnaire and snowball recruiting technique were used to target the general public in Palestine during the lockdowns of COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected between 6- 16 April 2020 which corresponded to almost the middle interval of the strict massive lockdown measures in Palestine started 22 March to 5 May 2020. Multivariate logistic regression models were developed for the outcome variables (stress and anxiety severity).ResultsAbout 2819 individuals completed the questionnaire. The mean (range) age was 29.47 (18-71) years. Anxiety prevalence was 25.15%, with 20.08% as mild/moderate anxiety. The prevalence of stress was 38.77% with 22.21% had mild/moderate stress. The prevalence of both anxiety and stress was 20.3% among participants. Males were less likely to have mild\moderate degree or sever\extremely sever degree of stress compared to females. Shortage of food supply, those having high-risk group family member, those who considered conversation with other people as source of information and those reporting higher fear of being infected were more likely to have higher degree of stress and/or anxiety compared to normal. Those with a monthly income of less than 2000 New Israeli Shekels (<555 USD) were significantly more likely to have mild/moderate stress compared to normal and higher monthly incomes. Gaza residency also shows significant negative predictor of stress severity compared to West Bank and Jerusalem. ConclusionsThis study reported high rates of anxiety and stress among the Palestinian general population during COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns. These findings highlight the importance of follow up of these findings for better management of the pandemic and a preferable handling of the socio-economical factors and their impacts on the psychological health of the population.

Medicina ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Pietro Ferrara ◽  
Lucia Stromillo ◽  
Luciana Albano

Background and objectives: Vaccination against bacterial pathogens is decisive for preventing invasive meningococcal disease and pediatricians play a pivotal role in vaccination compliance and coverage. The aim of this study was to investigate awareness, attitude, and practices toward the vaccine against Meningococcal B serogroup (4CMenB) among a sample of Italian pediatricians. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using an online questionnaire from March to May 2015. Three multivariate logistic regression models were built to identify factors associated with the outcomes of interest. Results: The data showed that 95.5% of the interviewees correctly responded about the availability of 4CMenB vaccine in Italy, while only 28.0% knew the vaccination schedule for children aged two years or under. This knowledge was significantly higher in younger pediatricians and in those who worked a higher number of hours per week. Pediatricians self-reported a positive attitude toward the utility and safety of 4CMenB vaccine. Those pediatricians with a strong positive attitude toward the utility of the vaccine, who knew the vaccination schedules for children of two years or under, and who declared a satisfactory or good knowledge about the vaccine were more likely to inform parents about its availability in Italy, recommend the vaccination, and verify patients’ vaccination status, in their daily practice. Conclusions: The study highlights factors that currently influence pediatricians’ practices regarding the 4CMenB vaccine. The results showed the possible actions recommended to improve physicians’ awareness and behaviors in order to improve the vaccination compliance and invasive meningococcal diseases prevention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-223
Author(s):  
Sonu Punia ◽  
◽  
Mohini Mohini ◽  
Shailja Sharma ◽  
Varun Singh ◽  
...  

Objective. The aim of this research was access the effect of lockdown on the psychological health status of people. Methods. This was an online questionnaire survey developed and circulated among people using snow-ball sampling techniques from April to mid of June 2020. The online survey collected information on demographic data and psychosocial health elements. Results. This study included 604 peoples (59.1% were female and 40.8% were females) of Haryana. Of the total respondents, 57.6% were in age group of 18-30 years, 40.8% were in 31-45 years and 1.5% was in 45-60 years group. 90% of people have normal self- reported BMI, 6.5% were overweight, 3% were underweight and 0.5% people have obesity. 74% respondents were graduate, 11.5% postgraduate, 3.2% were PhD, and 9.2% were 12th pass. 31.8% were unemployed, 35.9% were student, 15.8% regular government employee, 4.7% were self- employed and 2.5% were adhoc/contract employee. 79.5% people reside in urban community and 16% in rural community and 4.5% in semi-urban area. Most of the respondents have agree with the statement that lockdown induced constant sense of insecurity (72.9%); anxiety (58.7%),psychological stress (66.4%); work & financial stress (52.4%), phobia of infection (50.9%); stigma towards symptomatic people, which might be because of simple flu (55.2%); stress from watching & listening COVID-19 news (38.6%); stress from practice of prevention measure (31.9%). Most of people also agree with that behavior-change modification (follow preventive regulations) can improve mental stress (53.2%). Conclusion. Majority of people has realized the lockdown have significant impact on psychological health status of people.


2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402097244
Author(s):  
Carlos Arturo Cassiani-Miranda ◽  
Adalberto Campo-Arias ◽  
Andrés Felipe Tirado-Otálvaro ◽  
Luz Adriana Botero-Tobón ◽  
Luz Dary Upegui-Arango ◽  
...  

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, the fear of infection increases and, with it, the stigma-discrimination, which makes it an additional problem of the epidemic. However, studies about stigma associated with coronavirus are scarce worldwide. Aims: To determine the association between stigmatisation and fear of COVID-19 in the general population of Colombia. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 1,687 adults between 18 and 76 years old ( M = 36.3; SD = 12.5), 41.1% health workers, filled out an online questionnaire on Stigma-Discrimination and the COVID-5 Fear Scale, adapted by the research team. Results: The proportion of high fear of COVID-19 was 34.1%; When comparing the affirmative answers to the questionnaire on stigma-discrimination towards COVID-19, it was found that the difference was significantly higher in the general population compared to health workers in most of the questions evaluated, which indicates a high level of stigmatisation in that group. An association between high fear of COVID-19 and stigma was evidenced in 63.6% of the questions in the questionnaire. Conclusion: Stigma-discrimination towards COVID-19 is frequent in the Colombian population and is associated with high levels of fear towards said disease, mainly people who are not health workers.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1451
Author(s):  
Mohamed Khalis ◽  
Mouna Boucham ◽  
Amy Luo ◽  
Abdelghafour Marfak ◽  
Soukaina Saad ◽  
...  

While students in the health sciences occupy pivotal roles in the Moroccan COVID-19 response and vaccination campaigns, factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among students have not been reported. This study aimed to determine the willingness and identify predictive attitudes and beliefs of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among health science students in Morocco. A cross-sectional, self-administered online questionnaire was conducted among students of the Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences in Casablanca, Morocco in January 2021. In total, 1272 students participated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Overall, 26.9% of participants reported being willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Between genders, male students were more likely to accept the vaccine. Regarding individual attitudes and beliefs about COVID-19 infection, students with greater confidence in COVID-19 information, and higher perceived likelihood and perceived severity of infection were more likely to be willing to get the vaccine. Concerning a COVID-19 vaccine, students who reported lower levels of perceived harm and higher levels of perceived vaccine effectiveness were more willing to get vaccinated. Our findings help guide future efforts to tailor communication and identify strategies to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among students.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Girish K Sharma ◽  
Pamposh Raina ◽  
Kailash C Barwal ◽  
Manjeet Kumar ◽  
Vineet Kumar ◽  
...  

The unremitting COVID-19 pandemic is evoking anxiety, fear, panic, and socio-occupational stress among human population all around the globe. This cross-sectional study was planned to assess the fear and anxiety because of COVID-19 pandemic among health care professionals, patients, and general public in IGMC, Shimla. A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted in month of December 2020. COVID-19 fear questionnaire was used to assess fear among participants. A total of 162 responses were received. Ninety-five (41.35%) respondents were males and 67(58.64%) were females. Average total score of COVID-19 fear based on questionnaire was 17.71 among the participants. The majority of respondents 67(41.4%) were afraid of COVID-19, 53(32.7%) were neutral, whereas 42 (25.9%) were not afraid of COVID-19. Sixty-two (38.3%) responders were uncomfortable thinking about COVID-19, whereas, 67(41.4%) were not uncomfortable. Only 22 (13.6%) participants felt their hands clammy when they thought of COVID-19, 78 (48.15%) respondents were afraid of losing their life, 78 (48.15%) respondents disagreed with the question of being nervous or anxious to hear news and stories of COVID-19. Thirteen (8%) participants were informed of sleeplessness, and 22 (13.5%) reported palpitations due to COVID-19 fear. COVID-19 fear was evident in 65.15% of all males and 55.8% of all females’ respondents, respectively. Seventy percent of participants of age more than 40 years were afraid of COVID-19, whereas only 54.83% participants of less than 40 years had COVID-19 fear. COVID-19 fear was more evident among non-HCW (74.42%) as compared to HCW in whom it was seen in 53.03% participants. Rampaging Pandemic has ingrained fear and anxiety among non-HCW as well as health care workers. But undeterred by COVID-19 fear, majority of participants didn’t fear death and didn’t have other effects of fear. Despite (can be used) surging pandemic when fear of COVID-19 is soaring, HCW and non-HCW could work, think, and live.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saman Maroufizadeh ◽  
Majid Pourshaikhian ◽  
Ali Pourramzani ◽  
Farzaneh Sheikholeslami ◽  
Mohammad Taghi Moghadamnia ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health emergency and may result in psychological problems such as anxiety and depression in general population. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression and their associated factors in general population of Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: We conducted this web-based cross-sectional study on 5328 individuals in Iran, between 17 and 29 April 2020. Data were collected through an anonymous online questionnaire via social media like WhatsApp and Telegram. The online survey collected information on demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related variables, and anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), respectively. Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine independent predictors of anxiety and depression.Results: The mean GAD-7 and PHQ-9 total scores were 7.17 (SD=5.42) and 7.80 (SD=6.68), respectively. The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and comorbid anxiety-depression were 30.1%, 33.4%, and 22.1%, respectively. According to the adjusted analysis, anxiety was significantly associated with being female, being young and middle-aged, being unemployed or housewife, having chronic diseases, long time thinking about COVID-19, having family members, friends, and/or relatives infected with COVI-19, and death of family members, relatives or friends due to COVID-19. Same results were also found for depression. Furthermore, depression was associated with being single, being resident in urban area, and having high risk individual in family. Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety and depression were considerably high in general population of Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the findings suggest that more attention needs to be paid to vulnerable groups such as women, young/middle-aged adults, unemployed people, people with chronic disease. Thus, a holistic approach, including management policies, psychosocial interventions, training, support, and tele-mental health, is absolutely crucial to reduce mental health problems of the COVID-19 and any outbreaks of other infectious diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 647-656
Author(s):  
Sakshi Kamboj ◽  
◽  
Siya Srivastava ◽  
Sana Siddiqui ◽  
Rohit Singh ◽  
...  

This study aimed to determine the shift in willingness regarding the COVID-19 vaccine after the second wave. The study attempts to understand the willingness towards COVID-19 vaccination by assessing the public's knowledge, concerns, and attitude regarding the vaccine. Between May 16 to May 28, 2021, the individuals of the general population were invited to fill the online questionnaire. Total 711 participants had given their informed consent and completed the questionnaire on their background and vaccination behavior-related variables such as knowledge, practices, and their concerns regarding the vaccine. Before the launching of the vaccine, people were less likely to get vaccinated (63.6%); however, once the second wave hit India, attitudes towards vaccines shifted dramatically, and the figure increased to 84.4%. A significant proportion of the population is now willing to take the vaccine. There are several socio-demographic differences regarding knowledge and concerns related to vaccines, especially in age and gender groups. The success of a COVID-19 vaccination program is determined not just by the vaccine's efficacy, but also by its uptake. To ensure optimum vaccination uptake, there is an immediate need for the most effective policy and communication.


Author(s):  
Naji Hubaykan Alshammari ◽  
Amjad Ali Almugren ◽  
Jose Nazareno J. Lopez ◽  
Samaher Mohammad Almarshedy

Background: Molar Incisor hypomineralizationis an enamel defect caused by a systemic disturbance that could have occurred during child development. It affects one or more permanent molars with or without incisors involvement. Many factors could contribute in presence of MIH, for instance, chronic illnesses during pregnancy or during the first three of childhood. However, the actual etiological factor has not been determined yet. The study aim is to evaluate the knowledge and the perception on MIH among GDPs in KSA.Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional study, web-based survey conducted on 500 participants. An online questionnaire was distributed to all GDPs working in KSA. The data analysis done using SPSS version 23 (IBM Crop USA).Results: We found that the majority of GDPs perceptions were found that 64.7% had the thought that MIH is a public problem next to dental caries. When we assessed the perceptions about diagnosis MIH, it was found that 35.7% not confident and 58.3% showed some confidence in diagnosing the same. The dentists’ confidence about treating MIH showed that 49.5% were confident.Conclusions: We found that the majority of GDPs have a good knowledge. The perception was found that 64.7% had the thought that MIH is a public problem next to dental caries. When we assessed the perceptions about diagnosis MIH, it was found that 58.3% showed some confidence in diagnosing the same. The dentists’ confidence about treating MIH showed that 49.5% were confident.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Pragati Kaurani ◽  
Kavita Batra ◽  
Himangini Rathore Hooja

COVID-19 has caused unprecedented disruption of all spheres of life, including health, financial, and socio behavioral. Given the rampant nature of the pandemic, several nations, including India has instituted stringent public health measures, with one being nationwide lockdown, to mitigate COVID-19 transmission. Previous studies reported increased stress and anxiety levels among general population during phase 1 (complete) lockdown, however, the effect of extended lockdown (phase 2) on mental health outcomes remains the subject of investigation till today. Therefore, this cross-sectional study endeavors to assess the psychological outcomes among general population during phase 2 lockdown. The online questionnaire surveyed 627 individuals from the general population using a non-probability snowball sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, including the frequency distribution, mean and standard deviations were generated. Mean differences across groups were analyzed through independent-samples- t and analysis of variance tests. Consistent with previous studies, our results indicated a higher mean score of anxiety and stress among females compared to males. Young adults aged between 21-39 years had the highest mean stress and anxiety scores compared to other categories. The mean anxiety score increased from retired (M=3.96, SD=4.76, to students (M=7.04, SD=7.11), to unemployed (M=9.0, SD=6.53) occupation groups. The findings of this study highlight the need for designing psychosocial regulatory frameworks and suitable interventions to address the needs of those being mentally traumatized by the pandemic and associated lockdowns. The study also advocates for establishing psychological health monitoring and telepsychiatry systems for identifying and treating mental health problems.


Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Natália Lins de Souza Villarim ◽  
Isis de Araújo Ferreira Muniz ◽  
Danyel Elias da Cruz Perez ◽  
Hercílio Martelli-Junior ◽  
Renato Assis Machado ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: The changes in dental care in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the need for greater financial investment by dentists in biosafety measures and increase in the costs of dental consultations. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental practices in private clinics in Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out, using an online questionnaire indexed in Google Forms, and distributed among dentists. The data obtained were analyzed using the IBM SPSS 25.0 software, evaluating the factors associated with strong or very strong impact on the participants’ income and the factors that motivated the dentists to look for a credit line. Multiple logistic regression models were constructed to identify the associated factors. Variables with p <  0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Most participants were female, with a median age of 35 years. Dentists who are most concerned about their professional future (OR = 3.134; 95% CI: 1.804–5.445), who have longer office hours (OR = 2.056; 95% CI: 1.198–3.529), who had the greatest impact on the flow of patients (OR = 16.358; 95% CI: 9.408–28.443) and in need of investing in infrastructure (OR = 1.756; 95% CI: 1.014–3.041), had the greatest impact on monthly earnings. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic and the new biosafety recommendations for care during this period had a negative impact on the income of Brazilian dental offices and increased the chance of seeking credit to alleviate the financial deficit.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document