scholarly journals Perceived Stress During the COVID-19-Related Confinement in Cyprus

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Kyprianidou ◽  
Costas A. Christophi ◽  
Konstantinos Giannakou

The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious global health emergency that could potentially have a significant impact on both somatic as well as psychological level. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of perceived stress in the general adult population of Cyprus during the first COVID-19 lockdown period. This was an internet-based cross-sectional study conducted between 6 April and 20 June 2020, one to two and a half months after the introduction of and the first mandatory lockdown on its entire territory imposed by the government of the Republic of Cyprus on 24 March 2020. Data collection was done using a self-administered questionnaire that included information about socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, physical activity, smoking habits, and stress level. A total of 1,485 adults participated in the study. The median perceived stress score was 10 (q1 = 6, q3 = 15). Linear regression models showed that having a medium monthly income (€501-1,500) and being a current smoker was positively associated with the perceived stress score, while being male and physically active was negatively associated with the perceived stress score (all p <0.05). People with medium average salary and current smokers were at a higher risk for perceived stress. Psychological interventions and/or psychological services provided in certain vulnerable groups would be beneficial in future lockdowns due to either COVID-19 or a new pandemic.

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 452-460
Author(s):  
Azadeh Dehghani ◽  
Mahnaz Sanjari ◽  
Sedigheh Salemi ◽  
Zhila Maghbooli ◽  
Khadijeh Mirzaie ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Mahesh B. Jajulwar ◽  
Daniel A. Saji ◽  
Sudam R. Suryawanshi

Background: Most studies report that waste pickers constitute disadvantaged and vulnerable segments of the population. Third World waste pickers face multiple hazards and problems. Due to their daily contact with garbage, waste pickers are usually associated with dirt, disease, squalor, and perceived as a nuisance, a symbol of backwardness, and even as criminals. They survive in a hostile physical and social environment. Sometimes scavengers face extreme animosity and violence. The present study was carried out to assess the demographic distribution and assess health profile and health status of rag pickers in an urban slum.Methods: The cross-sectional study includes 240 adult population from the urban slum of one of the metropolitan city in India and study was carried out over a period of one year from January 2014 to December 2014. Results: It was seen that out of 240 people interviewed for the study majority were females (60%) and the rest were males. The majority of the subjects were illiterate (83.7%) and a majority of them were Buddhists (58%) by religion. Most of them belonged to the lowest socio-economic class (85.2%). Most of them complained of the following problems like inadequate sanitation, addictions of smoking (100%), alcohol intoxication (69%). Conclusions: From the following study it was seen that the majority of the rag pickers were illiterate, malnourished, most of them worked in this occupation only for monetary basis, lived in conditions of bad sanitation, and had many requirements from the government like good sanitation and rehabilitation to other jobs. Background: Most studies report that waste pickers constitute disadvantaged and vulnerable segments of the population. Third World waste pickers face multiple hazards and problems. Due to their daily contact with garbage, waste pickers are usually associated with dirt, disease, squalor, and perceived as a nuisance, a symbol of backwardness, and even as criminals. They survive in a hostile physical and social environment. Sometimes scavengers face extreme animosity and violence. The present study was carried out to assess the demographic distribution and assess health profile and health status of rag pickers in an urban slum.Methods: The cross-sectional study includes 240 adult population from the urban slum of one of the metropolitan city in India and study was carried out over a period of one year from January 2014 to December 2014. Results: It was seen that out of 240 people interviewed for the study majority were females (60%) and the rest were males. The majority of the subjects were illiterate (83.7%) and a majority of them were Buddhists (58%) by religion. Most of them belonged to the lowest socio-economic class (85.2%). Most of them complained of the following problems like inadequate sanitation, addictions of smoking (100%), alcohol intoxication (69%). Conclusions: From the following study it was seen that the majority of the rag pickers were illiterate, malnourished, most of them worked in this occupation only for monetary basis, lived in conditions of bad sanitation, and had many requirements from the government like good sanitation and rehabilitation to other jobs. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (230) ◽  
Author(s):  
Calvin Ghimire ◽  
Sajan Acharya ◽  
Carmina Shrestha ◽  
Prabhat KC ◽  
Swarndeep Singh ◽  
...  

Introduction: The government issued a country-wide lockdown in Nepal as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. This has resulted in various difficult experiences which includes financial loss, separation from loved ones, grief, uncertainty over disease status and loss of freedom. During these stressful situations, interpersonal violence is likely to be aggravated. To avoid the occurrence of adverse events such as impulsive acts, homicide, or suicide, it is important to identify high-risk individuals. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional, questionnaire-based, online survey by convenience sampling. The prevalence of different types of interpersonal violence with socio-demographic factors, substance use, and overall mental wellbeing was assessed by using descriptive statistical tests. Results: Out of total 556 participants included in the analysis, 50.9% (283) were male and 48.7% (271) were female. There were 100 (18.0%) participants who reported being a victim of interpersonal violence and 101 (18.2%) participants who reported being a perpetrator during the lockdown. The victims of violence were more likely to be living with their spouse alone. The victims and perpetrators were also more likely to have increased alcohol and tobacco use. More number of victims and perpetrators had lower mental wellbeing scores on the WHO wellbeing index. Conclusions: There was prevalence of interpersonal violence during the COVID-19 lockdown. In addition to the fear regarding pandemic, victims have to face domestic violence placing them at a double injustice. Identification of vulnerable groups and proper management of survivors must be prioritized given the unanimous consensus on the rise of interpersonal violence during periods of heightened stress.


Author(s):  
Nazia Nazir ◽  
Hafiz Amjad Hussain ◽  
Umair Ahmed ◽  
Ahmad Ayaz Sabri ◽  
Nazir Ahmad ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To analyze the prevalence of stress among doctors serving at various Government and private hospitals in Faisalabad. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at Allied hospital, DHQ hospital, Government General Hospital and independent hospital Faisalabad, from July to December 2019. The study comprised doctors in service for at least one year, who volunteered to fill out the Perceived Stress Scale Questionnaire (PSS-14), excluding house officers and the doctors on administrative posts. Demographic features and job factors were taken as independent variables and perceived stress score was taken as the dependent variable. SPSS-20 was used for the determination of mean perceived stress score, standard deviation values, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation analysis (R-values) . Results: Out of total 162 respondents, female doctors (n=75, 46.3%) were found to have significantly higher (p < 0.05) perceived stress scores (mean PSS = 27.56, SD = 8.305) as compared to male doctors (n=87, 53.7%, mean PSS = 24.82, SD = 7.823). There was a negative correlation of doctors’ age (R-value = -0.246, p-value = 0.002), number of years in job (R-value =-0.187, p-value 0.017) and number of children (R-value =-0.178, p-value = 0.023), with the perceived stress scores. Stress score was found significantly lower for doctors who managed to usually get time-out for relaxation (p < 0.01) and do private practice (p < 0.05). The effect of doctor’s marital status, type of specialty and residence was not found statistically significant. Continuous...


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Tien Huy ◽  
Nguyen Tran Minh Duc ◽  
Shamael Thabit Mohammed Alhady ◽  
Luu Ngoc Mai ◽  
Amr K. Hassan ◽  
...  

Aims: Understanding of the perceived stress and coping strategies adopted by people is important for contemplating the consequences of a pandemic on mental health of people globally. In this study, we intended to assess the perceived stress status under quarantine/isolation globally during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This is a multicentre, multinational cross-sectional study that recruited isolated/quarantined individuals suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 to assess the psychological impact of the quarantine/isolation experience by answering a survey distributed online.Results: The study was conducted across 63 participating countries, gaining 1,871 valid responses. There was a higher proportion of female participants in the Moderate to High Perceived Stress Scores (MH-PSS) group compared to the Low Perceived Stress Score group (66.0 vs. 52.0%) and a higher proportion of individuals whose marital status was single had MH-PSS (57.1%). Also, individual's religion (Christian, Hindu, and Muslim), no formal education level, being exposed to a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patient, being forced to be quarantined/isolated, uncomfortable feeling during quarantine period may significantly increase the risk of MH-PSS (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusions: Many factors can predict stress in COVID-19 pandemic including female sex, being single, religion, no formal education, involuntary quarantine, location and reason of quarantine/isolation, and place of exposure.


Biomolecules ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Yung-Wen Cheng ◽  
Chun-Chi Hung ◽  
Wen-Hui Fang ◽  
Wei-Liang Chen

Klotho protein is an anti-aging protein and plays multiple roles in ion-regulation, anti-oxidative stress, and energy metabolism through various pathways. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of multiple conditions that compose of multiple risk factors of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Gene regulation and protein expression are discovered associated with metabolic syndrome. We aimed to figure out the correlation between Klotho protein and metabolic syndrome in generally healthy adults. A cross-sectional study of 9976 respondents ≥ 18 years old from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007–2012) by utilizing their soluble Klotho protein concentrations. Multivariate linear regression models were used to analyze the effect of soluble Klotho protein on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Soluble Klotho protein concentration was inversely correlated with the presence of metabolic syndromes (p = 0.013) and numbers of components that met the definition of metabolic syndrome (p < 0.05). The concentration of Soluble Klotho protein was negatively associated with abdominal obesity and high triglyceride (TG) in the adjusted model (p < 0.05). Soluble Klotho protein is correlated with changing metabolic syndrome components in adults, especially central obesity and high TG levels. Despite conventional function as co-factor with fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) that regulates phosphate and vitamin D homeostasis, FGF23-independent soluble Klotho protein may act on multiple signal pathways in different organs and tissue in roles of anti-aging and protection from metabolic syndrome.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3 Special Issue on COVID-19) ◽  
pp. 294-305
Author(s):  
Masoud Sirati Nir ◽  
◽  
Leila Karimi ◽  
Robabe Khalili ◽  
◽  
...  

Objectives: The sudden outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) as a deadly disease worldwide has caused widespread psychological problems and physical problems. Given the importance of preventing and controlling mental health problems in patients with this disease, the present study was conducted to investigate the Perceived Stress level of health care and non- health care in Exposed to COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a descriptive-cross-sectional study conducted in April 2020. A total of 528 medical and non-medical workers entered the study by simple sampling method. Include criteria as follows Employees exposed to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) who had access to a smartphone. People with a history of mental illness were excluded from the study. The tools used included a demographic questionnaire, and the Cohen 10-item Perceived Stress Scale distributed online via the mobile phone. Results: Among 528 participants in the study, the majority (68.2%) were married (52.7%) were male, and (47.3%) were in the age group of 46-46 years. Most research units (90.2%) had moderate stress, and (4.2%) had severe stress. The Kruskal–Wallis test showed that students were more stressed than formal and contract workers. In comparison with the averages in the Mann-Whitney test, women were more stressed than men. People who were not taking medication had more stressed than people who were taking medication. Also, people with therapeutic occupations were more stressed than Non-therapeutic jobs. Conclusion: Discussion and Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed the need for more vulnerable groups in society such as women, students, and staff of therapeutic occupations in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis prevention and care, which should be reviewed by effective coping strategies and epidemic disease management, access to healing resources and psychological services system should be further strengthened for this group. Also, the planning of national strategies and first aid in crises should be emphasized through telemedicine and online services


Author(s):  
Jitendra Kumar Kummar ◽  
Kamlesh Jain ◽  
Nirmal Verma ◽  
Ashish Sinha ◽  
Dhiraj Bhawnani ◽  
...  

Background: Use of tobacco has been proven to be one of the leading causes of preventable premature deaths and diseases across the globe. The global adult tobacco survey (GATS) India report 2009-10 estimates 34.6% of India’s adult population use tobacco in some form or other. The government of India has taken various initiatives for tobacco control by enacting comprehensive tobacco control legislation (Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act {COTPA}, 2003). The objective of the study was to assess the level of compliance of section 4 of COTPA in public places of Raipur.Methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted in Raipur. The study was done around 480 public places for observing the compliance of section 4 of COTPA.Results: From the total 480 public places visited, 36.9% public places displayed “No Smoking” signage, out of 117 public places where “No Smoking” signage displayed only 11.3% were as per the COTPA specification. Only 12.3% of public places active smoking was observed during visit.Conclusions: This finding suggests a poor level of compliance of section 4 of COTPA in Raipur. Although the law has been drafted comprehensively, it is implemented only to certain extent.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-63
Author(s):  
Silke Heuse ◽  
Cathrin Dietze ◽  
Daniel Fodor ◽  
Edgar Voltmer

Background: Future health-care professionals face stress both during education and in later professional life. Next to educational trainings, many students are forced to assume part-time employment. Objective: Applying the Job Demands-Resources Model to the educational context, we investigate which role part-time employment plays next to health-care professional students’ education-specific demands and resources in the prediction of perceived stress. Method: In this cross-sectional study, data from N = 161 health-care students were analysed, testing moderation models. Results: Education-specific demands were associated with higher and education-specific resources with lower amounts of perceived stress. Part-time employment functioned as moderator, i.e. demands were less associated with stress experiences in students who were employed part-time. Conclusion: Identifying part-time employment as a resource rather than a demand illustrates the need to understand students’ individual influences on stress. Both educators and students will benefit from reflecting these resources to support students’ stress management.


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