scholarly journals COVID-19-Related Fear, Risk Perception, and Safety Behavior in Individuals with Diabetes

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 480
Author(s):  
Venja Musche ◽  
Hannah Kohler ◽  
Alexander Bäuerle ◽  
Adam Schweda ◽  
Benjamin Weismüller ◽  
...  

(1) The aim of the study is to assess the psychological burden of individuals with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison to matched controls. (2) Over the course of eight weeks, 9 April to 3 June 2020, 253 individuals with diabetes and 253 matched controls, using Propensity Score Matching (PSM), participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed an anonymous survey including demographics, depressive symptoms (PHQ-2), generalized anxiety (GAD-7), COVID-19-related fear, risk perception, and safety behavior. (3) While patients with diabetes expected their risk of infection similar to controls, they reported a higher probability of the occurrence of symptoms, severe course, and dying of COVID-19. Patients with diabetes showed no elevated generalized anxiety or depressive symptoms. However, they reported higher COVID-19-related fear and more adherent and dysfunctional safety behavior compared to controls. (4) From a public health view, it seems encouraging that despite the somatic risk condition, generalized anxiety and depression are not higher in patients with diabetes than in controls. Patients with diabetes report higher COVID-19-related fear, increased risk perception, and behavioral changes. This suggests that individuals with diabetes, as a significant risk group of severe COVID-19, show an adequate perception and functional reaction to the current pandemic.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272199689
Author(s):  
Hannah Kohler ◽  
Alexander Bäuerle ◽  
Adam Schweda ◽  
Benjamin Weismüller ◽  
Madeleine Fink ◽  
...  

Since December 2019, the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has been keeping the world in suspense. Proven risk factors for a severe course of COVID-19 are common diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular or respiratory disorders. Until today, little is known about the psychological burden of individuals suffering from these high-risk diseases regard to COVID-19. The aim of the study was to define the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on behavior and mental health in individuals at high risk for developing a severe COVID-19 course. Items assessed generalized anxiety (GAD-7), COVID-19-related fear, adherent/dysfunctional safety behavior, and the subjective risk perception of regarding symptoms, having a severe course and dying because of COVID-19. Data were compared between participants with the high risk diseases and individuals without any of those diseases. 16,983 respondents completed the study. Generalized anxiety, COVID-19-related fear, adherent/dysfunctional safety behavior and subjective risk perception were elevated in participants with high-risk diseases. The increased COVID-19-related fear as a functional concern is a conclusion on the increased risk of a severe course. The functionality of the fear is reflected in people’s increased need for security and includes an increase in both adherent and dysfunctional safety behavior that underlines the need for psychological support strategies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Sandra N. Ofori ◽  
Frances N. Adiukwu

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of unrecognized depressive symptoms and its associated risk factors among patients with diabetes and/or hypertension attending medical outpatient clinics of a tertiary health centre in southern Nigeria. A cross-sectional study design was employed to assess 200 randomly selected patients attending the clinics. Questionnaires were administered to obtain sociodemographic and medical history data. The perceived stress scale (PSS) was used to determine the presence of subjective psychological stress and PHQ-9 was used to screen for depression. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 54.9% with 16.5% categorised as having major depression. After adjusting for confounding variables, age younger than 60 years was associated with less odds of having depressive symptoms (AOR 0.32, 95% CI 0.17, 0.62; p=0.001), while only significant psychological stress increased the odds of having depressive symptoms (AOR 2.78, 95% CI 1.37, 5.64; p=0.005). The prevalence of depression among the study participants is high and has the potential to significantly impact the control of their disease and ultimately contribute to the high cardiovascular risk faced by this population.


2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth J. Comino ◽  
Elizabeth Harris ◽  
Derrick Silove ◽  
Vijaya Manicavasagar ◽  
Mark F. Harris

Introduction: This study examined the detection and management of anxiety and depressive symptoms among unemployed patients attending general practitioners (GPs). Method: A cross-sectional study was undertaken of anxiety and depressive symptoms in general practice using measures completed by patients and GPs. Eligible patients were adults aged 18 to 64 years either working (n = 2273) or unemployed (n = 392). Results: Eighty per cent of patients were attending their regular GP at the time of the study. Unemployed patients were found to have a higher mean general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) score than employed patients (3.8 compared with 2.4, p < 0.001); were more likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression which required medical treatment during the previous 4 weeks (30.9% compared with 14.6%, p < 0.001); and were more likely to have been treated for anxiety and depression by the GP (27.8% compared with 15.7%, p < 0.001). Among patients who the GPs reported treating for anxiety and depression, unemployed patients were 3.3 times (95% CI: 2.0–5.4) more likely to be prescribed medication than employed patients when severity was controlled but were no more likely to be referred to other health services. Unemployed patients identified increased use of services and were less satisfied with the care that they had received. Conclusions: Unemployed patients attending GPs have an increased risk of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Increased prescription of medication as opposed to referral suggests that GPs may treat their unemployed patients differently to employed patients. GPs need to be aware of the higher risk and severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms among unemployed patients and their desire to be more actively involved in their treatment. General practice is an important setting for addressing the health needs of unemployed people.


2021 ◽  
pp. 008124632110498
Author(s):  
James Roger Nsereko ◽  
Emily Claire Garman ◽  
Rizwana Roomaney

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in secondary school students in Kampala, Uganda, and assess associations with demographic characteristics and living arrangements. In this cross-sectional study, 14- to 17-year-olds were recruited from six randomly selected schools in Kampala. Participants completed a questionnaire, covering demographic questions and the affective problems subscale of the Youth Self-Report (YSR) – a depression screening tool for minors. Scores range from 0 to 26; a minimum score of 9 and 8 for female and male participants, respectively, suggests depressive symptoms in the clinical range, according to standard (non-local) norms. Unadjusted logistic regressions were used to assess demographic (e.g., age, gender, religion, parental education) and family-related characteristics (e.g., living arrangements, household size) associated with symptoms of depression in the clinical range. In total, 503 participants were recruited, of which 26.6% had depressive symptoms in the clinical range (female: 32.5%, male: 18.1%; risk ratio [RR] = 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.28, 2.51]). Those who reported living with only one parent (RR = 1.62, 95% CI [1.14, 2.30]) or another family member/friend (RR = 1.98, 95% CI [1.14, 2.30]) were at increased risk of depressive symptoms above clinical threshold compared with participants living with both parents. A quarter of urban low-risk school-going adolescents had depressive symptoms in the clinical range in Kampala; girls and adolescents not living with their parents were particularly vulnerable. It recommended that school staff be equipped with skills to identify students who may be at risk for depression and make appropriate referrals.


2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross Lawrenson ◽  
Veronique Gibbons ◽  
Grace Joshy ◽  
Peter Choi

AIM: To estimate the prevalence of diabetes by age, gender and ethnicity; to look at quality of care and to investigate disparities in care. METHOD: A cross-sectional study in three practices in Hamilton. A comprehensive register was generated by identifying patients with diabetes through queries on the practices’ computer system looking for diagnosis codes for diabetes, prescription of hypoglycaemic agents, participation in the ‘Get Checked’ programme or laboratory test for HbA1c. We then compared the glycaemic control and uptake of retinal screening in adult patients with Type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of diabetes in patients aged 20 years or older was 1221/26 096 (4.7%). Eighty percent had attended for a ‘Get Checked’ annual review in the last 12 months. After adjusting for age, we found that Maori, males and those diagnosed more than five years ago were at increased risk of having unsatisfactory glycaemic control. Maori or Asian patients and women appeared less likely to have accessed retinal screening in the last two years. DISCUSSION: Computerised records including diagnostic codes and prescriptions in general practices can be used to develop comprehensive diabetes registers. Whilst this study shows that high levels of annual review can be achieved in patients with diabetes, the next challenge is to tackle the disparities in uptake of services such as retinal screening or the achievement of intermediate outcomes such as good glycaemic control. KEYWORDS: Diabetes mellitus; prevalence; health care disparities; ethnic groups; primary health care


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 302
Author(s):  
Hiba Bawadi ◽  
Alanood Al-Shahwani ◽  
Dana Arafeh ◽  
Daniah Al-Asmar ◽  
Joyce Moawad ◽  
...  

Background: Diabetes is a highly prevalent chronic disease that is associated with major complications. Findings regarding risk of depression among patients with diabetes are controversial. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of depressive symptoms among Qatari patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on Qatar Biobank (QBB) data of 2448 Qatari adults with diabetes aged 21–60 years old. Data regarding age, gender, education, income, body mass index (BMI), medication use, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were retrieved. Patients’ responses to the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were also obtained. Data analyses was performed using STATA 16, and statistical significance was considered at a p-value of <0.05. Results: Of the 2448 participants, 15.4% (n = 378) had self-reported depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were frequent among females (69.6%), smokers (15.9%), and participants with a higher level of education (47.1%). Average age of participants who reported depressive symptoms was significantly less that among participants without depressive symptoms (44.8 vs. 52.9 years). Qatari women with diabetes seem to be at higher risk of depression when compared to men (OR = 1.819, 95% CI: 1.42–2.33); The odds of reporting depressive symptoms were 35% higher among patients with more advanced educational qualifications (OR = 1.351, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.82). Smokers were twice as likely to report depressive symptoms as their non-smoking counterparts. There was no significant relationship between depression and poor glycemic control, physical activity, BMI, or insulin use. Conclusions: In summary, the study results suggest that several sociodemographic factors, such as age, gender, and level of education were associated with the risk of depressive symptoms among Qataris with diabetes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 622-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie L Rhee

Few studies that have been conducted on Korean immigrant elders have been carried out in areas without Korean ethnic enclaves due to their small numbers and proportion. This nonprobability cross-sectional study utilized a structured survey to examine the relationships of acculturative stress, coping, and depressive symptoms among 108 non-institutionalized Korean immigrant elders residing in areas without Korean ethnic enclaves. Multivariate analysis results indicated that acculturative stress might be the most significant risk factor for depressive symptoms, which could decrease coping efficacy of social support and increase somatic symptoms of Korean immigrant elders residing in non-Korean ethnic enclaves. Implications for future research, practice, and policy are discussed.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0240914
Author(s):  
Tesera Bitew ◽  
Wohabie Birhan ◽  
Demeke Wolie

Background The potential role of perceived learning difficulty on depressive symptoms and substance use in the context of student population was seldom studied. This study aimed to investigate the association of perceived learning difficulty with depressive symptoms and substance use among university students in northwest Ethiopia. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted on 710 pre-engineering students. A locally validated version of Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess depressive symptoms at a cut off 5–9 indicating mild depressive symptoms and at a cut off 10 for major depressive symptoms. Perceived difficulty in school work was assessed by items dealing about difficulties in areas of course work. The response alternatives of these items were 0 = not at all, 1 = not so much, 2 = quite much, 3 = very much. The types of substances that students had used in their life and in the last three months were assessed. Negative binomial regression and multinomial regressions were employed to investigate the predictors of number of substance use and depressive symptoms respectively. Results The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 71.4% (Mild: 30% and Major 41.4%). About 24.6% of participants had the experience of using at least one substance. Increment in perceived difficulties in learning score was associated with more use of substances (aRRR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.06), mild level depressive symptoms (aOR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.56 and major depressive symptoms (aOR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.26). Every increment in anxiety score was associated with increased risk of mild level of depressive symptoms (aOR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.17) and major depressive symptoms (aOR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.18, 1.37). Being male (aRRR = 5.54, 95% CI: 3.28, 9.36), urban residence (aRRR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.62, 3.72) and increment in number of life threatening events (aRRR = 1.143, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.22) were associated with increased risk of substance use. Conclusion Perceived difficulties in learning independently predicted increased depressive symptoms as well as substance use among participants.


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