COVID-19 and Students’ Mental Wellbeing: A Cross-Sectional Study across Selected Nigerian Universities

The emergence of the coronavirus pandemic has affected the global population in an unprecedented way, which has disrupted livelihoods, as well as social activities including the closure of schools. The effect of the pandemic and the associated lockdown measures amplified the mental status of tertiary institution students in Nigeria, which has not been taken into proper view. To this effect, this study was conducted to assess the extent to which the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown measures impacted the mental health of tertiary university students in Southwestern, Nigeria. A cross-sectional online survey, using the standardized Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) depression and anxiety questionnaires were used, and appropriate summary statistics were carried out. In all (122 respondents), more than a third (35.5%) of the respondents had daily uncontrolled worries, 6.7% had suicidal intent, and over a tenth (14.2%) and (13.9%) had depression and anxiety respectively. The psychological impact of the coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdown measures on Nigerian university students is quite significant. Therefore, the mental well-being of Nigerian students should be taken into awareness and prioritized.

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Impact of COVID-19 on medical students’ mental wellbeing in Jordan

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0253295 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. e0253295

Author(s):

Khaled Seetan ◽

Mohammad Al-Zubi ◽

Yousef Rubbai ◽

Mohammad Athamneh ◽

Almu’atasim Khamees ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Social Relationships ◽

Online Survey ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Data Assessment ◽

The Impact

COVID-19 has spread throughout the world and has resulted in significant morbidity, mortality, and negative psychological impact. This prospective cross-sectional study is exploring the effect of the pandemic on mental health of medical students. The study was conducted at six Jordanian medical schools using an online survey to collect students’ socio-demographic and academic data. Assessment of mental wellbeing status was done using Kessler’s psychological stress scale (K10); the impact of COVID-19 on life activities and strategies followed to manage the situation were also examined. A total of 553 medical students were recruited for the study. Men constituted 40.1%, and women were 59.9%. Students reported that COVID-19 has affected the aspects of physical fitness (73.1%), study (68.4%), and social relationships (65.6%) the most. Sixty-six percent of the students were concerned about family members’ affection, and more than half (58.4%) explained their concerns about the inability to get clinical sessions and labs. Cooking, baking, and hobby practicing were the most popular methods to improve their mental wellbeing. About half of the participants had a severe mental disorder, and only 13.2% were likely to be well. The study indicates that half of our medical students suffer severe mental disorders, with physical fitness, exercise, and studying being among the most affected aspects during the COVID 19 pandemic. It is recommended that measures need be taken to alleviate students’ stress, which might have deleterious effects in many aspects.

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More Than a Deadly Virus: COVID-19 and Its Psychological Impact on American and Canadian Dental Practitioners

European Journal of Dental and Oral Health ◽

10.24018/ejdent.2021.2.6.121 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (6) ◽

pp. 32-38

Author(s):

Jasbir D. Upadhyaya ◽

Vimi Sunil Mutalik ◽

Mê-Linh Lê ◽

Dieter J. Schönwetter

Keyword(s):

Psychological Health ◽

Work Experience ◽

Media Coverage ◽

Online Survey ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cognitive Responses ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Dental Practitioners

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected dental professionals, thus contributing to adverse psychological outcomes. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the psychosocial state of American and Canadian dental practitioners, with special emphasis on their affective well-being (both during lockdown and after re-opening), behavioral impact and cognitive responses. Methodology: Dental practitioners in Canada and USA were invited to participate in an online survey after the initial lockdown period. The questions evaluated the pandemic’s effect on affective, behavioral, and cognitive responses. Results: A total of 587 practitioners completed the online survey. The strongest emotions experienced during the lockdown were sadness followed by fear. Female practitioners, those in the 35-44 age group, and those with less work experience reported higher scores on fear. Following lockdown, participants reported higher anticipation. Males expressed higher feelings of disgust and anger during both phases. Canadians were trustful of the situation in both phases of the pandemic, whereas the emotions of Americans were more towards disgust. About 56.7% practitioners provided teledentistry during lockdown, mainly through video calling, with Canadians being significantly more involved than the American participants. The highest scores for participants’ experiences during lockdown were for a lack of social interaction, followed by concern for contracting infection, and stress from distressing media coverage. Most practitioners were very receptive of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusions: The emotions and behaviors of dental practitioners varied significantly during and after the initial lockdown, highlighting their psychosocial state during the pandemic. The scarcity of literature focusing on these basic emotions during similar outbreaks calls attention for pursuing more research in these areas as they significantly contribute to the overall psychological health of professionals, especially in times of crises. Given the emotions reported by dental practitioners, it would be of value to develop standardized protocols and provide remote psychological support during such periods of uncertainty.

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Experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional analysis of risk perceptions and mental health in a student cohort

10.1101/2020.12.21.20248467 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ru Jia ◽

Holly Knight ◽

Holly Blake ◽

Dame Jessica Corner ◽

Chris Denning ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

University Students ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sectional Analysis

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined the COVID-19 risk perceptions and mental health of university students on returning to campus in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAn online survey was completed during the first four weeks of the academic year (October 2020) by 897 university students. The survey included demographics and measures of experiences of COVID-19 testing, self-isolation, shielding, perceived risk, mental health and indices capturing related psychological responses to the pandemic.ResultsWe observed higher levels of depression and anxiety, but not stress, in students compared with pre- pandemic normative data, but lower than levels reported earlier in the pandemic in other similar cohorts. Depression, anxiety and stress were independently associated with greater loneliness and reduced positive mood. Greater worry about COVID-19 was also independently associated with anxiety and stress. Female students and those with pre-existing mental health disorders were at greatest risk of poor mental health outcomes.ConclusionAlthough students perceived themselves at only moderate risk of COVID-19, the prevalence of depression and anxiety among university students should remain a concern. Universities should provide adequate support for students’ mental health during term-time. Interventions to reduced loneliness and worry, and improve mood, may benefit students’ overall mental well-being.

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Predictors of Mental Health Status among Quarantined COVID-19 Patients in Saudi Arabia

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9101271 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1271

Author(s):

Abdulaziz A. Alodhayani ◽

Khalid M. Almutairi ◽

Fahda A. Alshobaili ◽

Adel F. Alotaibi ◽

Ghadah Alkhaldi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Pandemic Preparedness ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Arab Region ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Government

Background: The negative psychological impact of COVID-19 in the general population has been well documented. Similar studies among those who were infected and who underwent quarantine remain scarce, particularly in the Arab region. The present study aims to fill this gap. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, suspected/confirmed COVID-19 individuals who were quarantined in the Ministry of Health (MOH) facilities were invited to participate in an online survey. All consenting participants answered a generalized questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, as well as a five-part questionnaire that assessed the symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and distress. Results: A total of 335 suspected/confirmed COVID-19 individuals (198 males and 137 females) participated. Being female is associated with increased risk of depression (odds ratio OR 1.8 (confidence interval, CI 1.1–3.1; p = 0.03)) as well as being employed by the government (OR 2.8 (CI 1.1–7.0; p = 0.03)). Level of education (OR 2.3 (CI 1.0–5.4; p = 0.049)) and employment in government (OR 3.0 (CI 1.2–7.8; p = 0.02)) were significantly associated with distress. Increasing age (45 years and above) appeared to be protective against distress (OR 0.2 (CI 0.02–0.69; p = 0.008)), as well anxiety and sleep pattern (OR 0.3 p < 0.05). Conclusion: Findings of the present study highlight that infected COVID-19 populations are at higher risk for acute and detrimental psychological well-being during quarantine and/or self-isolation. Identification of the coping mechanisms of older adults during periods of distress may prove beneficial in the pandemic preparedness of younger generations.

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The Psychological Impact of Movement Restriction during the COVID-19 Outbreak on Clinical Undergraduates: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17228522 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (22) ◽

pp. 8522

Author(s):

Aida Kalok ◽

Shalisah Sharip ◽

Abdul Muzhill Abdul Hafizz ◽

Zulkifli Md Zainuddin ◽

Mohamad Nasir Shafiee

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Government Support ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Movement Restriction ◽

Cross Sectional

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia and the subsequent closure of all educational institutions. We aimed to examine the psychological impact of the MCO among clinical undergraduates. A cross-sectional study was conducted using self-reported questionnaires that were distributed online using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS 21), Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS), and the newly designed MCO effect questionnaire. Seven hundred seventy-two students completed the survey. The prevalence of psychological distress was 52.8%, with around 60% of respondents reporting disruption to their daily lives. Older (p = 0.015) and more senior students (p < 0.001) were less likely to be anxious than their younger and junior counterparts, respectively. A greater number of social support (three or more) was linked to a lower score of depression (p = 0.005) and stress (p = 0.045). Undergraduates who received family support demonstrated lower depression scores (p = 0.037) and higher mental wellbeing (p = 0.020) compared to those without. Government support was independently associated with a lesser risk of depressive symptoms (Adjusted odds ratio, AOR 0.68; 95% confidence interval, CI 0.47–0.99) and a greater sense of mental wellbeing (AOR 1.54; 95% CI 1.06–2.22). The present finding provides evidence of a high prevalence of psychological distress among clinical undergraduates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Appropriate social support is important in alleviating anxiety and stress and promoting greater mental wellbeing amongst students during the nationwide quarantine.

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Depression, Anxiety and Depression-anxiety comorbidity amid COVID-19 Pandemic: An online survey conducted during lockdown in Nepal

10.1101/2020.04.30.20086926 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Anil Sigdel ◽

Anu Bista ◽

Navaraj Bhattarai ◽

Bimal Chandra Pun ◽

Govind Giri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

General Population ◽

Online Survey ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Co Morbidity

AbstractBackgroundLittle is known about the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health status during the lockdown period. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess prevalence of depression, anxiety and depression-anxiety comorbidity, and associated factors during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nepal.MethodsA quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of Nepal. Data was collected from April 9 to April 16, 2020 using an e-questionnaire which was shared through different popular social media. A total of 349 participants were included. Self-reported depression and anxiety were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire and Generalized Anxiety tools respectively. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with depression, anxiety and depression and anxiety co-morbidity.ResultsThe prevalence rates of depression, anxiety and depression-anxiety co-morbidity were found to be 34.0%, 31.0% and 23.2% respectively. The multi-variate analysis showed that females, those living alone, health professionals and those who spent more time in accessing information about COVID-19 were significantly more likely to have depression, anxiety and depression-anxiety co-morbidity.ConclusionsHigh rates of depression and anxiety and co-morbidity were found to be prevailing among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Nepal. The results suggest that only the scientific, but contextually appropriate messages about the disease should be disseminated to reduce unnecessary fears and anxiety. Awareness interventions to promote mental wellbeing need to be integrated into the response interventions. Community mental health care should be made accessible to at-risk groups.

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Mental Wellbeing during the Lockdown Period following the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Journal of Nepal Medical Association ◽

10.31729/jnma.5498 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 58 (230) ◽

Author(s):

Carmina Shrestha ◽

Calvin Ghimire ◽

Sajan Acharya ◽

Prabhat KC ◽

Swarndeep Singh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Psychological Intervention ◽

Female Gender ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Positive Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Potential Part

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected all aspects of society, including mental and physical health. Often missed is the fact that the pandemic is occurring against the backdrop of a very high prevalence of mental health issues. Protecting the mental health of people and healthcare workers is important for long-term positive health outcomes and proper control of the outbreak. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional, questionnaire-based, online survey by convenience sampling. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review committee of Nepal Health Research Council (reference no. 2467). Open access, pre-validated questionnaires were used. Participants with significantly poor Mental wellbeing were identified using the WHO well-being index threshold score. Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out. Results: Five hundred and fifty-six participants were included in the analysis. Forty percent of the participants reported a WHO well-being index score of below 13, indicative of poor mental wellbeing and a need for further assessment for depression. Poor Mental wellbeing was more prevalent among participants less than 30 years of age, female gender, never married, diagnosed mental disorder, living alone and those using informal sources for COVID-19 related information. More participants with lower sleep quality score and higher perceived stress score reported poor Mental wellbeing. Conclusions: Combating this challenge requires integration across disciplines. One potential part of the solution is psychological intervention teams. An emerging positive connotation to the pandemic is that it needs to be harnessed as a tool for improving health facilities, community participation, and fighting misinformation.

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Young adults’ coping strategies against loneliness during the COVID-19-related quarantine in Greece

Health Promotion International ◽

10.1093/heapro/daab053 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Adrianos Golemis ◽

Panteleimon Voitsidis ◽

Eleni Parlapani ◽

Vasiliki A Nikopoulou ◽

Virginia Tsipropoulou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Young Adults ◽

Social Responsibility ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Online Survey ◽

Adult Population ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Daily Routine ◽

Cross Sectional

Summary COVID-19 and the related quarantine disrupted young adults’ academic and professional life, daily routine and socio-emotional well-being. This cross-sectional study focused on the emotional and behavioural responses of a young adult population during the COVID-19-related quarantine in April 2020, in Greece. The study was conducted through an online survey. A total of 1559 young adults, aged 18−30 years, completed Steele’s Social Responsibility Motivation Scale and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and answered questions about compliance with instructions, quarantine-related behaviours and coping strategies. According to the results, participants displayed a relatively high sense of social responsibility (M = 16.09, SD = 2.13) and a trend towards moderate feeling of loneliness (M = 2.65, SD = 1.62); young women reported significantly higher levels of loneliness than men. The majority complied with instructions often (46.4%) or always (44.8%). Significantly more women created a new social media account and used the social media longer than 5 h/day, compared with men. Resorting to religion, practicing sports and sharing thoughts and feelings about COVID-19 with others predicted higher levels of social responsibility; humour, practicing sports and sharing thoughts and feelings about COVID-19 with others predicted lower levels of loneliness. Conclusively, COVID-19 is expected to have a significant psychological impact on young adults. Currently, Greece is going through the second quarantine period. This study raises awareness about loneliness in young adults during the COVID-19-related quarantine and highlights the importance of developing online programmes, attractive to younger people, to nurture adaptive coping strategies against loneliness.

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Public Concerns during the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Multicultural Cross-Sectional Study among Internet Survey Respondents in Three Countries

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10081577 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1577

Author(s):

Alona Emodi-Perlman ◽

Ilana Eli ◽

Nir Uziel ◽

Joanna Smardz ◽

Anahat Khehra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Middle Eastern ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Internet Survey ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Culturally Different ◽

Patient Health

(1) Background: this study aimed to evaluate the worries, anxiety, and depression in the public during the initial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown in three culturally different groups of internet survey respondents: Middle Eastern (Israel), European (Poland), and North American (Canada). (2) Methods: a cross-sectional online survey was conducted in the mentioned countries during the lockdown periods. The survey included a demographic questionnaire, a questionnaire on personal concerns, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). A total of 2207 people successfully completed the survey. (3) Results: Polish respondents were the most concerned about being infected. Canadian respondents worried the most about their finances, relations with relatives and friends, and both physical and mental health. Polish respondents worried the least about their physical health, and Israeli respondents worried the least about their mental health and relations with relatives and friends. Canadian respondents obtained the highest score in the PHQ-4, while the scores of Israeli respondents were the lowest. (4) Conclusions: 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 strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of stress, social isolation, and uncertainty on the well-being and mental health of culturally different societies.

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Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety amongst Cancer Patients in a Hospital Setting: A Cross-Sectional Study

Psychiatry Journal ◽

10.1155/2016/3964806 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Anish Khalil ◽

Muhammad Faheem ◽

Ammad Fahim ◽

Haran Innocent ◽

Zainab Mansoor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Hospital Setting ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Background. The biomedical care for cancer has not been complemented by psychosocial progressions in cancer care.Objectives. To find the prevalence of anxiety and depression amongst cancer patients in a hospital setting.Design and Setting. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the tertiary care hospitals Shifa International Hospital Islamabad and Nuclear Medicine, Oncology, and Radiotherapy Institute [NORI].Patients and Methods. 300 patients were interviewed from both the outpatient and inpatient department using The Aga Khan University Anxiety and Depression Scale (AKUADS).Main Outcome Measures. Using a score of 20 and above on the AKUADS, 146 (48.7%) patients were suffering from anxiety and depression.Results. When cross tabulation was done between different factors and the cancer patients with anxiety and depression, the following factors were found out to be significant with associatedpvalue < 0.05: education of the patient, presence of cancer in the family, the severity of pain, and the patient’s awareness of his anxiety and depression. Out of 143 (47.7%) uneducated patients, 85 (59.4%) were depressed, hence making it the highest educational category suffering from depression and anxiety.Conclusion. The prevalence of anxiety and depression amongst cancer patients was high showing that importance should be given to screening and counseling cancer patients for anxiety and depression, to help them cope with cancer as a disease and its impact on their mental wellbeing.Limitations. The frequency of female patients in our research was higher than those of male patients.

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