COVID-19 and the mental health of professionals in the health sector in the UAE: An analytical study

Avicenna ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chokri Kooli
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Services ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Preventive Actions ◽  
The Impact

As the Covid-19 pandemic persists, the public health interventions reported that many individuals during this pandemic situation experience different circumstances that lead to their poor mental health performance, such as isolation stress, anxiety, depression, anger, confusion, and unemployment. The aim of this study is to examine the existing literature in a comprehensive manner and to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of UAE health workers. This study also examined the psychological factors that influence workers’ mental health due to the pandemic of COVID-19. An online questionnaire was administered to answer the research question. The results proved that the pandemic has affected both physical and mental health of UAE health workers. Consequently, the adoption of preventive actions at the governmental, organizational, and individual levels is highly recommended. In this research, the implementation of effective communication and the application of adequate psychological services have been suggested. To this end, the role of policy makers to be involved in placing governmental initiatives that prevent the spread of the virus and protect the mental health of workers has been highlighted.

scholarly journals Factors that Influence the Decision to Seek Help in a Police Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6891
Author(s):  
Carolyn Burns ◽  
Marla Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Psychological Services ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Physical And Mental Health

Police officers face many competing pressures and demands. Exposure to potentially traumatic incidents and significant job-related stressors can place many at higher risk of developing physical and mental health problems. The police culture exerts a pronounced influence on officers, preventing some from asking for or receiving assistance. The stigma of being perceived as weak or incompetent, concerns about being labelled unfit for duty, and worry that accessing psychological support will impact future career advancement can affect the decision to seek help. The Enhanced Critical Incident Technique was utilized to investigate the following research question: What helps or hinders the decision to access psychological services in a police population? Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 serving Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers in the lower mainland of British Columbia, Canada. The findings encompass five main themes: the importance of systemic factors, access to information and education, quality and influence of relationships, individual characteristics, and organizational processes that will increase the likelihood of accessing mental health services. The results contribute to the empirical literature by enhancing what is known about elements that influence an officers’ decision to seek psychological services, and factors that can enable officers to overcome barriers.

Health Impacts of Floods

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiwei Du ◽  
Gerard Joseph FitzGerald ◽  
Michele Clark ◽  
Xiang-Yu Hou
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Underlying Causes ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIntroduction:Floods are the most common hazard to cause disasters and have led to extensive morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The impact of floods on the human community is related directly to the location and topography of the area, as well as human demographics and characteristics of the built environment.Objectives:The aim of this study is to identify the health impacts of disasters and the underlying causes of health impacts associated with floods. A conceptual framework is developed that may assist with the development of a rational and comprehensive approach to prevention, mitigation, and management.Methods:This study involved an extensive literature review that located >500 references, which were analyzed to identify common themes, findings, and expert views. The findings then were distilled into common themes.Results:The health impacts of floods are wide ranging, and depend on a number of factors. However, the health impacts of a particular flood are specific to the particular context. The immediate health impacts of floods include drowning, injuries, hypothermia, and animal bites. Health risks also are associated with the evacuation of patients, loss of health workers, and loss of health infrastructure including essential drugs and supplies. In the medium-term, infected wounds, complications of injury, poisoning, poor mental health, communicable diseases, and starvation are indirect effects of flooding. In the long-term, chronic disease, disability, poor mental health, and poverty-related diseases including malnutrition are the potential legacy.Conclusions:This article proposes a structured approach to the classification of the health impacts of floods and a conceptual framework that demonstrates the relationships between floods and the direct and indirect health consequences.

scholarly journals Differences Between the Psychological Symptoms of Health Workers and General Community After the First Wave of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Reno-Chanca ◽  
Julie Van Hoey ◽  
Jesús Alberto Santolaya-Prego de Oliver ◽  
Ilargi Blasko-Ochoa ◽  
Pilar Sanfeliu Aguilar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
General Community

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has worsened the physical and mental health of the general population. Healthcare workers have a high risk of suffering a mental disorder after the first wave. In this way, psychologists, who deal with mental health issues and are considered as healthcare workers in many countries, are of interest in this context. The present study aimed to examine anxiety, depression, stress, and obsessions and compulsions across psychologists, healthcare professionals, and the general community. These variables were measured through the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), as well as the Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), which are related to different sociodemographic variables. The study was carried out after the first wave in Spain through an online questionnaire. Structural equation modeling and a multigroup analysis were carried out across the groups and variables under study. The results suggested that; (i) healthcare workers and general community depicted similar results in anxiety and stress, as well as obsessions; (ii) the group of psychologists depicted better scores than the other groups under study; (iii) stress and anxiety did not predict compulsions in the group of psychologists; (iv) anxiety predicted obsessions for all the professions, while the relationship of this variable with stress was different for each group; and (v) invariance reached a full metric level.

scholarly journals Mental Health in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 310-322
Author(s):  
Janine Wirkner ◽  
Hanna Christiansen ◽  
Christine Knaevelsrud ◽  
Ulrike Lüken ◽  
Susanne Wurm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
European Population ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Psychological Point ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most serious health and economic crises of the 21st century. From a psychological point of view, the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences can be conceptualized as a multidimensional and potentially toxic stressor for mental health in the general population. This selective literature review provides an overview of longitudinal studies published until June 2021 that have investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in the European population. Risk and protective factors identified in the studies are summarized. Forty-two studies that met inclusion and search criteria ( COVID-19, mental health, longitudinal, and Europe) in PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science databases indicate differential effects of the pandemic on mental distress, depression, and anxiety, depending on samples and methods used. Age-specific (e.g., young age), social (e.g., female, ethnical minority, loneliness), as well as physical and mental health-related factors (e.g., pre-pandemic illness) were identified as risk factors for poor mental health. The studies point to several protective factors such as social support, higher cognitive ability, resilience, and self-efficacy. Increasing evidence supports the assumption of the pandemic being a multidimensional stressor on mental health, with some populations appearing more vulnerable than others, although inconsistencies arise. Whether the pandemic will lead to an increase in the prevalence of mental disorders is an open question. Further high-quality longitudinal and multi-national studies and meta-analyses are needed to draw the complete picture of the consequences of the pandemic on mental health.

scholarly journals Mental health condition of physicians working frontline with COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aminur Rahman ◽  
Farah Deeba ◽  
Sadika Akhter ◽  
Farzana Bashar ◽  
Dilruba Nomani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Depression Anxiety Stress Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The People ◽  
Group Data ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The impact of the unpredictable COVID-19 pandemic had triggered new challenges for mental health. This quick survey aimed to identify the mental health status of physicians who served the people during COVID-19 in Bangladesh. Methodology The cross sectional survey was conducted adopting a quantitative approach and using an online questionnaire through Facebook Platform Group. Data was collected from August-October, 2020, on socio-demographic status, information on COVID-19 and questionnaires about Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). A total of 395 participants were enrolled from all eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh. Result Our study reported a higher prevalence of depression (55.3%), anxiety (35.2%), and stress (48.4%) among 347 participants. Female physicians were found to have more stress (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.09 – 4.30) compared to the male. Physicians who were previously diagnosed as mentally ill were found to be significantly more depressed (OR = 3.45, 95% CI: 1.07 – 11.10) and stressed (OR = 4.22, 95% CI: 1.48 – 12.02) compared to them who did not. Along with that, having a chronic disease, working in non-government and COVID hospitals significantly contributed to poor mental health outcomes. Conclusion The study findings denoted that, the mental health of physicians was deeply affected by the pandemic situation. The availability of appropriate mental health support will help foster resilience by giving them the ability and confidence to manage crisis moments like the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of optometry students at a higher education institution: A case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf Simjee ◽  
Zothile Mncwabe ◽  
Keihara Sindhrajh ◽  
Rabia Khan ◽  
Maseeha Seedat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Black People ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Optometry Students

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak poses serious threats to the physical and mental health of individuals worldwide. The lockdown strategy and social distancing regulations adopted in South Africa have disrupted the day-to-day life activities of all people including students.Aim: To explore the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of optometry students at a higher education institution.Setting: The study population included optometry students currently registered at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in Durban, South Africa.Methods: The study adopted a case study research design and used an online questionnaire and follow-up interviews to collect data. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaire that assesses depression, anxiety and stress subscales was used. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The interview data were analysed using thematic content analysis.Results: A total of 147 participants responded to the online questionnaire and consisted of majority black people (n = 98), female (n = 114) and second year (n = 58) students. The majority of the participants had normal scores for depression (n = 97), anxiety (n = 79) and stress (n = 107). Only a few participants had scores indicating severe or extremely severe depression (n = 13), anxiety (n = 23) and stress (n = 5). Follow-up interviews were conducted with 10 participants and of these, seven reported that COVID-19 had a negative impact on their ability to concentrate and they felt anxious about examining patients. Factors such as stigma and judgment were perceived as hindrances to seeking mental health help.Conclusion: Most participants had normal scores for depression, anxiety and stress; however, some participants presented with abnormal scores. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health should be highlighted and higher education authorities should plan and provide appropriate services to improve the quality of life of affected students.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health & wellbeing among home-quarantined Bangladeshi students: A cross-sectional pilot study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abid Hasan Khan ◽  
Mst. Sadia Sultana ◽  
Sahadat Hossain ◽  
M Tasdik Hasan ◽  
Helal Uddin Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Background: COVID-19 is imposing threat both on physical and mental health since its outbreak. Bangladesh adopted lockdown strategy with potential consequences on day to day life, mental and physical health and this study aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and wellbeing among Bangladeshi students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 9th and 23th April 2020 among 505 college and university students. Data was collected by using online questionnaire including DASS 21 and IES. Descriptive analysis and bivariate linear regression were performed to examine the association of variables. Results: 28.5 % of the respondents had stress, 33.3% anxiety, 46.92% depression from mild to extremely severe, according to DASS 21 and 69.31% had event-specific distress from mild to severe in terms of severity according to IES. Perceiving physical symptoms as COVID-19 was significantly associated with DASS stress subscale (B=3.71, 95% CI: 1.01 to 6.40), DASS anxiety subscale (B= 3.95, 95% CI: 1.95 to 5.96), DASS depression subscale (B=3.82, 95% CI: 0.97 to 6.67) and IES scale (B=7.52, 95% CI: 3.58 to 11.45). Additionally, fear of infection, financial uncertainty, inadequate food supply, absence of physical exercise and limited or no recreational activity had significant association with stress, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic symptoms. Conclusion: This COVID-19 outbreak imposes psychological consequences on people to a great extent which requires attention from the concerned authorities to cope with this situation mentally. The perception about the outbreak can also play a big role in psychological impact.

scholarly journals The impact of low education and poor health on unemployment varies by work life stage

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 997-1006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sander K. R. van Zon ◽  
Sijmen A. Reijneveld ◽  
Carlos F. Mendes de Leon ◽  
Ute Bültmann
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Education ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study is to examine associations and interactions of education, and physical and mental health with unemployment in early, mid, and late work life. Methods This cross-sectional study uses data from 69,118 respondents from Lifelines. Health status was measured with the RAND-36, education was self-reported, and participants working <12 h per week or indicating to be unemployed were considered unemployed. The relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) was calculated to measure interaction on the additive scale. Results Interactions of low education and poor mental health were found in early [RERI: 2.14; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63, 3.65], mid (1.41; 0.61, 2.20) and late (0.63; 0.09, 1.17) work life. Interaction between low education and poor physical health was only found in mid-work life (1.27; 0.61, 1.93). Conclusions Low education and poor physical and mental health exacerbate each other’s impact on unemployment varying by work life stage. Policies addressing unemployment may become more effective if they better account for the physical and mental health status of adults in certain stages of their work life.

The Impact of Household Overindebtedness on Physical and Mental Health

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Declan French ◽  
Donal G. McKillop
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Queensland Family Cohort: a study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e044463
Author(s):  
Danielle Borg ◽  
Kym Rae ◽  
Corrine Fiveash ◽  
Johanna Schagen ◽  
Janelle James-McAlpine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Environment ◽  
Biological Samples ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Future Health ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionThe perinatal–postnatal family environment is associated with childhood outcomes including impacts on physical and mental health and educational attainment. Family longitudinal cohort studies collect in-depth data that can capture the influence of an era on family lifestyle, mental health, chronic disease, education and financial stability to enable identification of gaps in society and provide the evidence for changes in government in policy and practice.Methods and analysisThe Queensland Family Cohort (QFC) is a prospective, observational, longitudinal study that will recruit 12 500 pregnant families across the state of Queensland (QLD), Australia and intends to follow-up families and children for three decades. To identify the immediate and future health requirements of the QLD population; pregnant participants and their partners will be enrolled by 24 weeks of gestation and followed up at 24, 28 and 36 weeks of gestation, during delivery, on-ward, 6 weeks postpartum and then every 12 months where questionnaires, biological samples and physical measures will be collected from parents and children. To examine the impact of environmental exposures on families, data related to environmental pollution, household pollution and employment exposures will be linked to pregnancy and health outcomes. Where feasible, data linkage of state and federal government databases will be used to follow the participants long term. Biological samples will be stored long term for future discoveries of biomarkers of health and disease.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from the Mater Research Ethics (HREC/16/MHS/113). Findings will be reported to (1) QFC participating families; (2) funding bodies, institutes and hospitals supporting the QFC; (3) federal, state and local governments to inform policy; (4) presented at local, national and international conferences and (5) disseminated by peer-review publications.

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