scholarly journals Lock-Down Effect on the Mental Health Status of Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weam Fageera ◽  
Fawzi Babtain ◽  
Ahmad S. Alzahrani ◽  
Hussain M. Khrad

Background: The psychological impact that outbreaks and pandemics could inflict on healthcare workers has been widely studied; yet, little is known about the impact of the lockdown measures.Objectives: To assess the magnitude of depression and anxiety among healthcare professionals before and after lifting of the lockdown restrictions in Saudi Arabia.Methods: Surveys targeting healthcare workers were circulated twice: during the lockdown, and 8 weeks after lifting of lockdown. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scales.Results: A total of 947 healthcare workers, with the mean age of (37 ± 8.9) responded to the surveys. Among these, 23–27% respondents reported clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression. Whereas, easing of the lockdown restrictions was shown to be associated with decreasing mean scores of PHQ-9 and GAD-7. The noted burden fell heavily on female workers, those with a current or a history of psychiatric disorders, suffering from chronic diseases, being in workplaces with high exposure to COVID-19 or in contact with COVID-19 patients, nurses, as well as those who were living with elderly and perceived their physical and mental health as “much worse” compared to the time before the pandemic.Conclusion: Our findings identified several predictors for anxiety and depression at different time-points of the pandemic. Thus, priority to psychological support measures might be needed for these groups.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alona Emodi-Perlman ◽  
Ilana Eli ◽  
Nir Uziel ◽  
Joanna Smardz ◽  
Anahat Khehra ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND In late December 2019, a new pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) infection, began to spread around the world. The new situation gave rise to severe health threats, economic uncertainty, and social isolation, causing potential deleterious effects on the physical and mental health of the people. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate worries, anxiety and depression in the public during the initial Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19; Coronavirus) pandemic lockdown in three culturally different communities: Middle Eastern (Israel), European (Poland) and North American (Canada). METHODS A cross-sectional online anonymous survey was conducted simultaneously in Israel, Poland and Canada during the lockdown periods in these countries. The survey included a demographic questionnaire, a questionnaire on original personal concerns regarding the Coronavirus pandemic and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) which is a brief screening tool used for assessing anxiety and depression. A total of 2207 people successfully completed the survey. The data obtained from the survey were statistically analysed. RESULTS The results of the survey showed that Poles were the most concerned about being infected by the virus, with higher scores found among women and elders. Canadians worried the most about their finances, relations with relatives and friends and both physical and mental health, while Poles, despite being the most concerned about virus contamination, worried the least about their physical health and Israeli worried the least about their mental health and relations with relatives and friends. Canadians obtained the highest total score in PHQ-4, as well as in both the anxiety and depression subscales of the questionnaire, while the scores of Israelis were the lowest. All the findings were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS The study showed that various factors should be considered while formulating appropriate solutions in emergency circumstances such as a pandemic. Understanding these factors will aid in the development of response strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of stress, social isolation and uncertainty on the well-being and mental health of culturally different societies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsa Friis ◽  
Savannah R. Erwin ◽  
Jasmine Daniel ◽  
Rebecca Egger ◽  
Helen Egger

BACKGROUND Background: The pandemic has disrupted all aspects of children’s lives and has increased children’s exposure to adversity and traumas known to increase the risk of mental health challenges. Recent studies have reported increased rates of mental health challenges in youth during the pandemic, yet few studies have examined the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary school-age children. The pandemic has also adversely impacted caregiver mental health and other indirect factors, including economic instability, known to increase children’s risk for impairing mental health challenges. OBJECTIVE Objective: This study aimed to characterize the social-emotional challenges of children ages 2 to 12 years old during the pandemic and identify modifiable child, caregiver, and family-related risk factors that contribute to risk and are additional targets for intervention. METHODS Methods: Caregivers (N = 676) of children ages 2-12 completed an online survey in early fall 2021 using standardized screening tools to assess child social-emotional challenges and caregiver anxiety and depression. We used a new 16 scale to assess the impact of the pandemic at the child, caregiver, and family levels. We used hierarchical linear regression and logistic regression to explore the relationship between children’s mental health and caregivers’ mental health. We used path analysis to explore direct and indirect effects of the impact of pandemic stress on child emotional and peer challenges, mediated by caregiver anxiety and depression. RESULTS Results: Eighty-seven percent of the children were ages 2-8 years old (n=588) with 13% (n=88) between 9-12 years old. Caregivers endorsed significant child emotional and peer challenges with 80% (n = 536) of children at risk for clinically-significant emotional challenges and 57% (n = 388) at risk for clinically-significant peer social challenges. Emotional challenges increased with age (r = .20, P <.001). 50% (n=330) of caregivers screened positive for generalized anxiety and 24% (n=160) screened positive for depression. Cumulative COVID-19 impact was directly associated with increased child emotional challenges (r=.29, P<.001), peer challenges (r=.29, P<.001), caregiver anxiety (r = .32, P<.001), and caregiver depression (r = .42, P<.001). Caregiver anxiety accounted for 31% of the total effect of COVID-19 impact on child emotional challenges and 18% of the total effect on peer challenges. CONCLUSIONS Conclusions: The results of our study show that the COVID-19 pandemic is having direct and indirect adverse impacts on the social-emotional health of children ages 2 to 12 years old with impacts on very young children similar to impacts for older children. Only with an integrated, family-focused approach that includes young children will we be able to mitigate the current pediatric mental health crisis. CLINICALTRIAL n/a


2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kelly ◽  
F. Kelly ◽  
K. Santlal ◽  
S. O’Ceallaigh

ObjectivesTo examine the impact of a change in local prescribing policy on the adherence to evidence-based prescribing guidelines for antipsychotic medication in a general adult psychiatric hospital.MethodsAll adult in-patients had their clinical record and medication sheet reviewed. Antipsychotic prescribed, dose prescribed and documented indications for prescribing were recorded. This was done before and after the implementation of the change in hospital antipsychotic prescribing policy.ResultsThere were no significant differences in age, sex, Mental Health Act status, psychiatric diagnosis or documented indications for prescribing multiple or high dose antipsychotics between the two groups. There was an increase in the preferential prescribing of multiple second-generation antipsychotics (p=0.01) in the context of a significant reduction in the prescribing of multiple antipsychotics overall (p=0.02). There were no significant reductions in prescribing of mixed generations of antipsychotics (p=0.12), high dose antipsychotics (p=1.00) or as required (PRN) antipsychotics (p=0.74).ConclusionsChanges in local prescribing policy can improve adherence to quality prescribing guidelines and cause clinically significant improvements in patterns of prescribing in a general adult psychiatric hospital.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-84
Author(s):  
Cuiyan Wang ◽  
Mohammad A. Fardin ◽  
Mahmoud Shirazi ◽  
Riyu Pan ◽  
Xiaoyang Wan ◽  
...  

Background: This study aimed to compare the severity of psychological impact, anxiety and depression between people from two developing countries, Iran and China, and to correlate mental health parameters with variables relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although China and Iran are developing countries based on the World Bank’s criteria, these two countries are different in access to resources and health care systems. We hypothesized that Iranians would show higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress as compared to Chinese. Methods: This study collected information related to the COVID-19 pandemic including physical health, precautionary measures and knowledge about the pandemic. We also used validated questionnaires such as the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to assess the mental health status. Results: There were a total of 1411 respondents (550 from Iran; 861 from China). The mean IES-R scores of respondents from both countries were above the cut-off for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Iranians had significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression (p < 0.01). Significantly more Iranians believed COVID-19 was transmitted via contact, practised hand hygiene, were unsatisfied with health information and expressed less confidence in their doctors, but were less likely to wear a facemask (p < 0.001). Significantly more Iranians received health information related to COVID-19 via television while Chinese preferred the Internet (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This cross-country study found that Iranians had significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression as compared to Chinese. The difference in reported measures between respondents from Iran and China were due to differences in access to healthcare services and governments’ responses to the pandemic.


Author(s):  
Consolata Uzzi ◽  
Bolaji Yoade ◽  
Victoria Iyanu Olateju ◽  
Mary Olowere ◽  
Gibson Anugwom ◽  
...  

Background: As COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect every nation, Healthcare Workers (HCW) who care for the patients are psychologically impacted. This study aims to assess the psychological impact experienced by HCW and the psychosocial support they received. Methods: Using PubMed, google scholar and Embase from December 2019 through June 2021, we found 376 studies on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of HCW. Using our inclusion criteria, 325 studies were excluded. 51 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. 9 articles which met our criteria and eligibility criteria reported on 19,232 HCW, and 75.2% of the study participants were women. Results: The study participants reported high levels of stress, hypervigilance, fatigue, sleep problems, PTSD symptoms, poor concentration, depression, anxiety, burnout, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, suicide and self-harm ideations and somatic symptoms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The psychosocial support provided to HCW includes counseling and psychotherapy-based sessions on stress adaptation, onsite mindfulness-based crisis intervention, online form of emotional freedom technique, and Effort-reward system.  Conclusion: Multiple interventions found in our review were effective in mitigating psychological stress among HCWs. These interventions should be considered as part of support provided to HCW with psychosocial challenges.


2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 0-0

Introduction: Healthcare workers face incomparable work and psychological demands that are amplified throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care workers in Jordan. Method: A cross-sectional design was used. Data was collected using an online survey during the outbreak of COVID-19. Results: Overall, of the 312 healthcare workers, almost 38% and 36% presented with moderate to severe anxiety and depression consecutively. Nurses reported more severe symptoms than other healthcare workers. And both anxiety and depression were negatively correlated with well-being. Getting infected was not an immediate worry among healthcare workers; however, they were worried about carrying the virus to their families. Implications for Practice: Stakeholders must understand the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers and plan to provide them with the required psychological support and interventions at an early stage.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Nnamdi Nkire ◽  
Izu Nwachukwu ◽  
Reham Shalaby ◽  
Marianne Hrabok ◽  
Wesley Vuong ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine the impact of relationship status on levels of stress, anxiety, and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic, to identify the relationship groups who are at greater risk, thereby facilitating channelling of appropriate support to these individuals. Methods: The sample was drawn from individuals who subscribed to the Text4Hope program, a cognitive behavioural therapy inspired text messaging service developed to support Albertans during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey link was sent to the subscribers to ascertain their relationship status and assess psychopathology using the Perceived Stress Scale-10(PSS-10), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Data analysis was carried out using SPSS-26 for descriptive statistics. Results: Within the first six weeks of the pandemic, 8,267 of 44,992 subscribers responded to the online survey giving a response rate of 19.4%. Mean scores on the PSS, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 were highest among those who were single and lowest amongst those who were widowed. Overall, mean scores on the PHQ-9 were higher in groups self-identified as separated or divorced in comparison to those with partners including the categories of married or cohabiting. Conclusions: Relationship status during the COVID-19 pandemic has an influence on the mental health of individuals. Our findings highlight relationship groups at risk of mental health problems during the pandemic and for whom treatments and mitigation should be targeted.


2021 ◽  
pp. 74-76
Author(s):  
Nikoleta Gkatzia ◽  
Maria Dousi ◽  
Vasilis Syrgiamiotis ◽  
Dimitrios Kechagias ◽  
Lida Gogou

INTRODUCTION:This study aims to evaluate the psychological impact of COVID-19 emergency period on a sample of Radiography students. METHODS:Levels of anxiety, stress, and depression were measured in a sample of 206 Greek Radiography students, using the DASS scale. RESULTS: Radiography students reported moderate levels of stress anxiety and depression. The 27,7% for depression scale, 20,4% for anxiety and 15% stress found to have extremely severe levels. 48% of the sample declared dissatised and 16,1% very dissatised from the teaching method and 83% from our sample declared that prefer traditional classroom lesson. These perceptions of the students about the effectiveness of the distant educational method have signicant differences in all subscales. CONCLUSION: The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Radiography students' education and mental health are undeniable. Academics should discuss future strategies to address problems that arise.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (suppl 2) ◽  
pp. 4157-4168
Author(s):  
Edson Zangiacomi Martinez ◽  
Fabrícia Mabelle Silva ◽  
Thais Zanin Morigi ◽  
Miriane Lucindo Zucoloto ◽  
Thaise Lucena Silva ◽  
...  

Abstract Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are associated with poor physical and mental health. The article aims to assess the changes in the habits of the Brazilian participants engaged in physical activities in relation to their practices, due the measures of social distancing during the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020. The secondary objective was to describe their levels of anxiety and depression. The questionnaire used in this online survey included demographic information, questions about self-perceptions of the impact of the COVID-19 in the life routines and the 14-item Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. A total of 1,613 adults completed the questionnaire between May 11 and 15, 2020. Of those, 79.4% reported that the measures to contain the epidemic had any impact on their physical activities, and many had to interrupt or decrease the frequency of their practices. Participants who felt a higher impact of quarantine on their physical activities tend to have higher prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms. Individuals who practiced physical activities reported that social distance had a high influence on their practices. Furthermore, changes in these habits are associated with high levels of poor mental health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 238212052199115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott J Halperin ◽  
Matthew N Henderson ◽  
Sofia Prenner ◽  
Jonathan N Grauer

Purpose: The Covid-19 pandemic is a public health emergency with both physical and mental health risks. Medical students have baseline elevated rates of anxiety, depression and burnout. As such, they may be especially susceptible to the psychological stresses of Covid-19. The current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among United States medical students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional, survey-based study collected demographic data as well as the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. The survey was administered from April 13, 2020 to April 28, 2020 amidst the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Results: A total of 1,428 students from 40 US medical schools completed the survey. From those surveyed, 30.6% and 24.3% of respondents screened positive for anxiety and depression, respectively. Median GAD-7 scores were higher among females (7.0 vs 5.0, P < .00001), pre-clinical students (7.0 vs 6.0, P < .00004), and those with a friend or relative diagnosed with Covid-19 (7.0 vs 6.0, P=.001). Median PHQ-9 scores were higher among females (6.0 vs 4.0, P < .00001) and pre-clinical students (6.0 vs 4.0, P < .00001). Conclusion: When compared to previous medical student studies, these results are 61% higher for anxiety and 70% higher for depression during the Covid-19 era. The current study suggests that there should be a heightened awareness of and sensitivity to student’s mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic with certain cohorts at greater potential risk.


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