ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increased level of anxiety and fear among the general population related to its management and infection spread. Considering the relevance of present circumstances, we explored perceptions and attitudes of community members towards their mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.SettingWe conducted an exploratory qualitative study using a purposive sampling approach, at two communities of Karachi, Pakistan.ParticipantsIn-depth interviews were conducted with community members including, young adults, middle-aged adults and older adults of both genders. Study data were analysed manually using the thematic analysis technique.Primary outcomeThe primary outcome is assessing community perception towards their mental well-being amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsA total of 27 in-depth interviews were conducted, between May and June 2020. Three overarching themes were identified: (1) impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of the general communities; (2) current coping mechanisms to adapt to the new reality and (3) recommendations to address the mental health of communities. Generally, community members underwent increased anxiety and fear due to the contagious nature of the virus. Alongside, social, financial and religious repercussions of the pandemic have also heightened psychological distress among community members. However, community members were able to point out some of the coping mechanisms such as getting closer to God, connecting with family, participating in mental health sessions and resetting lives by indulging in diverse activities. Simultaneously, they also recommended the need for remote mental health services for elders and continuous efforts by the government to address the mental health needs of the community.ConclusionCOVID-19-associated mental health consequences have hit every individual in society. The study finding has the potential to guide the development of context-specific innovative mental health programmes to overcome the pandemic repercussions.

BackgroundThe Government of Pakistan is facing difficulty to contain the surge of COVID-19 due to the country’s social, political, economical and cultural context. Experiences from the previous epidemic suggest that community perceptions, social norms and cultural practices can impede COVID-19 containment. To understand social responses towards COVID-19, the study aims to explore the understanding of COVID-19 and the acceptance of control measures among community members.MethodsWe conducted an exploratory qualitative study using a purposive sampling approach, at two communities of Karachi, Pakistan. In-depth interviews were conducted with community members including, young, middle-aged and older adults of both genders. Study data were analysed manually using the conventional content analysis technique.ResultsA total of 27 in-depth virtual interviews were conducted, between May and June 2020. Six overarching themes were identified: (1) community knowledge and perceptions around COVID-19; (2) trusted and preferred sources of health information; (3) initial thoughts and feeling towards COVID-19 pandemic; (4) community practices to prevent exposure from COVID-19; (5) perceived risks associated with poor adherence to infection control practices; and (6) future preparedness of community to avoid the second wave of the outbreak. Generally, community members had good knowledge about COVID-19, and positive behaviour and attitude towards using standard precautions. The knowledge is mainly acquired through electronic, print and social media platforms, which have pros and cons. However, some community members including younger individuals had poor adherence to safety measures. This may necessitate concentrated efforts to raise awareness through community mobilisation and sensitisation activities.ConclusionThis study provides an initial evidence base of communities’ perceptions, and attitudes towards COVID-19 in an early stage of pandemic. The study emphasises that sufficient knowledge and awareness about COVID-19, adequate training and drills, and adherence to safety measures, are necessary to better prepare for the second wave of COVID-19.

ObjectiveThe advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a drastic impact on students’ life, causing physical and emotional sufferings. Considering the relevance of unprecedented conditions, we explored perceptions and attitudes of students towards their academic life and well-being amid the COVID-19 pandemic.SettingWe conducted an exploratory qualitative study using a purposive sampling approach conducted at a single-centre private nursing institution in Karachi, Pakistan.ParticipantsThe current study used in-depth interviews with female university students. Study data were analysed manually using the thematic analysis approach.Primary outcomeThe primary outcome is to explore perception of students on academic life and well-being amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsA total of 10 in-depth interviews were conducted between August and September 2020. Four overarching themes were identified: (1) impact of COVID-19 on students’ well-being; (2) effect of COVID-19 on students’ academic life; (3) current coping mechanisms adopted by students and (4) recommendations to address students’ concerns. The pandemic-related stressors served as a major impediment on students’ motivation, concentration span and socioeconomic conditions which negatively influenced their well-being and academic life. However, students have adopted diverse coping mechanisms to combat unstable circumstances that include connecting with family and relatives, indulging in diverse activities, and getting academic support from faculty, senior students, and university administration. Students also recommended the need for arranging online mental health services, integrating e-learning mediums in existing academia, and constant efforts by the government to address electricity and internet connectivity issues to promote virtual learning.ConclusionUniversity students have been struck hard due to rapid pandemic-related transitions in their life. The study finding served as the potential guide for educational institutions and government officials to employ appropriate psychological interventions and provide infrastructure and technical facilities to provide support with their academic journey and overcoming the ongoing pandemic repercussions.

PurposeCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to unprecedented mental health repercussions in the lives of every individual including university students. Therefore, study on students’ psychological state and its associated factors during the pandemic are of importance. This study aims to discuss the aforementioned issue.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was done on a total of 207 university students of Pakistan to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, concerns or fears amidst COVID-19 and mental distress. Validated tools; Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)-Depression were used to assess stress, anxiety and depression, respectively.FindingsAround 14% of the university students were experiencing severe stress and anxiety, while 8.2% had severe depression. The authors found that stress among university students was related to psychiatric illness or symptoms (OR = 5.1: 1.1, 22.9) and unpredictability due to the pandemic (OR = 3.7: 1.2, 11.2). The significant determinants of anxiety were psychiatric illness/symptoms (OR = 6.6: 3.4, 12.9), implementation of public health measures (OR = 3.7: 1.1, 11.6), employed mothers (OR = 2.4: 1.1, 5.0) and lack of support from university administration (OR = 2.2: 1.0, 5.0). While the factors associated with depression included psychiatric illness or symptoms (OR = 8.4: 3.3, 21.5), unpredictability due to pandemic (OR = 6.8: 2.2, 20.7), impaired social support system (OR = 3.7: 1.3, 10.4) and studying without a scholarship (OR = 2.1: 1.0, 4.4).Research limitations/implicationsThese findings call for an urgent need to develop appropriate interventions and educational programs that could address the psychological needs of students.Practical implicationsThe study directs the role of university and faculty in dealing the mental health needs of the student in COVID-19 pandemic time.Social implicationsEducational programs are important that could address the psychological needs of students in COVID-19 pandemic.Originality/valueUniversity students reported mental distress during COVID-19 pandemic which shows that younger people are at risk of COVID-19 repercussions. Moreover, several stressors (i.e. impaired social support system and lack of support from universities) were revealed that could be mitigated by implementing appropriate strategies.

Background: Stroke survivors become either partially or completely dependent on their family members for assistance. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a new set of challenges for caregiving, due to government-imposed lockdowns. In the current crisis, the crucial role of virtual modality in stroke caregiving can no longer be ignored. Therefore, this review aims to report the utilization of virtual modality to facilitate stroke caregivers in delivering care to stroke survivors in this pandemic. Moreover, it will also assess the perceptions of stroke caregivers in managing stroke survivors during pandemic Methods: An electronic search was carried out between 1 December 2019 to 31 March 2022 to explore the role of virtual platforms to assess stroke caregivers’ perceptions and the use of a distant medium in managing stroke survivors’ care in the COVID-19 era by using four electronic data bases that includes PubMed, CINAHL Plus, Science Direct, and Cochrane. Results The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly complicated the stroke caregiver’s life and their ability to deliver care. Therefore, utilizing virtual medium serves as a unique supplemental resource in warranting patient care continuity. The current review provides evidence for the integration of distant modality in facilitating stroke caregivers to manage stroke survivors and it also assesses their perception during pandemic. Conclusion: The current review provides limited but encouraging data that promotes the efficacy of virtual models in healthcare. It was identified that distant healthcare services are suitable and accessible for the provision of care to the community of stroke caregivers during this pandemic.