Defibulation Can Recall The Trauma of FGM/C: A Case Report

Background: Women with FGM/C are known to have psychological sequelae from the cutting and other traumatic experiences. However, very few studies report immediate psychological sequelae of genital reconstructive surgeries for this population. The present case is the first to our knowledge to report PTSD symptoms immediately following defibulation, a procedure common in women with FGM/C type III.Case presentation: We present the case of a 31-year-old nulliparous woman in the second trimester of pregnancy with FGM/C type IIIa who was referred for antepartum defibulation to facilitate a vaginal birth. Immediately after an uncomplicated surgery under local anaesthesia and just before the first micturition, she developed post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and suddenly recalled the traumatic experience of her first micturition after FGM/C when she was a child in Sudan. The woman was offered psychiatric follow-up with psychotherapy for four months and a short course of benzodiazepines. She had fully recovered by the time of delivery, four months after surgery.Conclusions: We discuss the possibility of recall of a past traumatic experience of FGM/C during defibulation or other genital surgeries. We review the benefits and risks of defibulation, the impact of this procedure, and the setting and timing in which it is performed, focusing on women's mental health and psychological support.

Cognitive and Psychological Sequelae of COVID-19: Age Differences in Facing the Pandemic

Literature about the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is currently focusing on the potential cognitive and neuropsychiatric sequelae observed in individuals receiving intensive care unit (ICU) treatments. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the differences in cognitive and psychological sequelae of COVID-19 between younger and older adults, regardless of being admitted to the ICU or not. The study involved 299 recovered individuals (from 18 to 90 years old), who underwent a comprehensive cognitive and psychological assessment. Linear regression models were conducted separately for Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL) scores to investigate the effect of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics on them. Separate linear regression models were then applied sorting participants by age: younger adults (<65 years) and older adults (≥65 years). In the whole sample, PCL scores were predicted by the intensity of care received, by being intubated, and by the persistence of cough after 1 month after hospitalization. Only age had instead an effect on cognition. In younger adults, PCL scores were predicted by the presence of neurological symptoms, by the intensity of care received, and by being intubated; MoCA scores were only predicted by the intensity of care received. No significant associations were found in older adults. Psychological negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic particularly affect individuals under 65 years old, who also subjectively report cognitive sequelae associated with the infection. Individuals over 65 years old, instead, seem to be free from psychological and cognitive difficulties due to COVID-19.

Psychological Sequelae of Covid 19 Calamity on Medical Personnel in Pakistan

Aim: To gauge the physiological sequelae of covid-19 pandemic on medical personnel in Pakistan. Place & duration: An online cross sectional study was conducted from May, 2020 to August, 2020 in Lahore. Methodology: 17 score PTSD check list civilian version was used to assess the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in medical personnel. Results: Mean post-traumatic stress score (PTSS) was 39±15 with a range of 18-89. 66% (n=240) of the participants experienced moderate to extreme stress level. Chi Square test was used to determine an association between higher stress level and age, gender and staff category. Higher stress scores were associated with females (p<0.01). Conclusion: Rewarding the health personnel with gratitude, acknowledgement, financial compensations and provision of personal protective equipments (PPEs) can halt the psychological sequelae and is a promise to win this battle. Keywords: SARS coV2, Covid 19, PTSD, Health personnel

Quality of Life and Its Predictive Factors Among Healthcare Workers After the End of a Movement Lockdown: The Salient Roles of COVID-19 Stressors, Psychological Experience, and Social Support

Although healthcare workers play a crucial role in helping curb the hazardous health impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), their lives and major functioning have been greatly affected by the pandemic. This study examined the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life (QoL) of Malaysian healthcare workers and its predictive factors. An online sample of 389 university-based healthcare workers completed questionnaires on demographics, clinical features, COVID-19-related stressors, psychological experiences, and perceived social support after the movement lockdown was lifted. All domains of QoL were within the norms of the general population except for social relationship QoL, which was lower than the norm. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that COVID-19-related stressors (e.g., stress due to annual leave being frozen, loss of daily routine, and frequent exposure to COVID-19 patients) and psychological sequelae (e.g., greater severity of depression, anxiety, and stress) predicted lower QoL. Conversely, greater perceived social support from friends and significant others predicted higher QoL. Clinical and demographic characteristics predicted QoL to a lesser extent: A history of pre-existing medical illness was associated only with lower physical health QoL, whereas older age and being single, divorced, or widowed were only predictive of higher environmental QoL. Efforts to enhance QoL among healthcare workers in response to the pandemic should focus on mitigating COVID-19-related stressors and psychological sequelae and facilitating social support.