scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown Measures on the Mental Health of the General Population in the Gulf Cooperation Council States: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naif Al-Mutawa ◽  
Nourah Al-Mutairi

Background: In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, and Oman), as in the rest of the world, the COVID-19 has been spreading since 2019, and it had a significant impact on various aspects of life. The outbreak and the restrictive measures imposed by countries to stop the spread of the virus could harm the mental health condition of the general population. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the impact of the pandemic on mental health and investigate the potential risk factors.Methods: An online survey was collected from individuals in GCC countries from May to October 2020. The final sample included 14,171 participants, 67.3% females and 60.4% younger than 35 years old. The survey consisted of depression, Anxiety, Insomnia, and post-traumatic stress questionnaires. Crude and adjusted Odds ratios are calculated using simple and multivariable logistic regressions to investigate the association between risk factors and mental health issues.Results: Endorsement rates for depression were 11,352 (80.1%), 9,544 (67.3%) for anxiety, 8,845 (63.9%) for insomnia and 9,046 (65.2%) for post-traumatic stress. Being female and younger age were associated with a higher likelihood of developing depression, anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress. In addition, participants with underlying psychological problems were three times more likely to develop depressive and post-traumatic stress symptoms.Conclusion: According to the findings, women, youth, singles, divorced individuals, and individuals with pre-existing psychological and medical conditions are subject to a higher risk of mental health problems during the pandemic, which policy-makers should consider when imposing restrictive measures.

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e033816
Author(s):  
Karel Willem Frank Scheepstra ◽  
Hannah S Pauw ◽  
Minouk Esmee van Steijn ◽  
Claire A I Stramrood ◽  
Miranda Olff ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo compare the prevalence of work-related potential traumatic events (PTEs), support protocols and mental health symptoms across Dutch gynaecologists, orthopaedic surgeons and paediatricians.DesignCross-sectional study, supplementary analysis of combined data.SettingNationwide survey between 2014 and 2017.ParticipantsAn online questionnaire was sent to all Dutch gynaecologists, orthopaedic surgeons and paediatricians, including resident physicians (4959 physicians). 1374 questionnaires were eligible for analysis, corresponding with a response rate of 27.7%.Outcome measuresPrimary outcome measures were the prevalence of work-related PTEs, depression, anxiety, psychological distress and traumatic stress, measured with validated screening instruments (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Trauma Screening Questionnaire). Secondary outcomes were the association of mental health and defensive practice to traumatic events and support protocols.ResultsOf the respondents, 20.8% experienced a work-related PTE at least 4 weeks ago. Prevalence rates indicative of depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were 6.4%, 13.6% and 1.5%, respectively. Depression (9.2% vs 5.2%, p=0.019), anxiety (18.2% vs 8.2%, p<0.001) and psychological distress (22.8% vs 12.5%, p<0.001) were significantly more prevalent in female compared with male attendings. The absence of a support protocol was significantly associated with more probable PTSD (p=0.022). Those who witnessed a PTE, reported more defensive work changes (28.0% vs 20.5%, p=0.007) and those with probable PTSD considered to quit medical work more often (60.0% vs 35.8%, p=0.032).ConclusionPhysicians are frequently exposed to PTEs with high emotional impact over the course of their career. Lacking a support protocol after adverse events was associated with more post-traumatic stress. Adverse events were associated with considering to quit medical practice and a more defensive practice. More awareness must be created for the mental health of physicians as well as for the implementation of a well-organised support system after PTEs.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. e0231460
Author(s):  
Amy Richardson ◽  
Gagan Gurung ◽  
Ari Samaranayaka ◽  
Dianne Gardner ◽  
Brandon deGraaf ◽  
...  

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e044125
Author(s):  
Salma M Abdalla ◽  
Catherine K Ettman ◽  
Gregory H Cohen ◽  
Sandro Galea

ObjectiveTo document the prevalence of anxiety disorders in the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignA cross-sectional analysis.SettingA nationally representative sample in the USA between 31 March and 13 April 2020.Participants1450 English-speaking adult participants in the AmeriSpeak Panel. AmeriSpeak is a probability-based panel designed to be representative of households in the USA.Main outcome measuresPrevalence of probable generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) using the GAD-7 and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) using the four-item PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) checklist. Both outcomes were stratified by demographics and COVID-19-related stressors.ResultsThe majority of participants were female (51.8%), non-Hispanic white (62.9%) and reported a household saving of $5000 or more. Those between 18 and 29 years old were the largest age group (38.1%) compared with 40–59 years (32.0%) and 60 years or more (29.9%). The prevalence of probable GAD was 10.9% (95% CI 9.1% to 13.2%) and the prevalence of PTSS was 21.7% (95% CI 19.1% to 24.6%). Among participants reporting five or more COVID-19-related stressors, the prevalence of probable GAD was 20.5% (95% CI 16.1% to 25.8%) and the prevalence of PTSS was 35.7% (95% CI 30.2% to 41.6%). Experiencing five or more COVID-19-related stressors was a predictor of both probable GAD (OR=4.5, 95% CI 2.3 to 8.8) and PTSS (OR=3.3, 95% CI 2.1 to 5.1).ConclusionsThe prevalence of probable anxiety disorders in the USA, as the COVID-19 pandemic and policies implemented to tackle it unfolded, is higher than estimates reported prior to the pandemic and estimates reported following other mass traumatic events. Exposure to COVID-19-related stressors is associated with higher prevalence of both probable GAD and PTSS, highlighting the role these stressors play in increasing the risk of developing anxiety disorders in the USA. Mitigation and recovery policies should take into account the mental health toll the pandemic had on the USA population.


2021 ◽  
pp. 114353
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Craparo ◽  
Valentina Lucia La Rosa ◽  
Graziella Marino ◽  
Michela Vezzoli ◽  
Gabriella Serena Cinà ◽  
...  

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