Background and objectives Researchers are exploring the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment, vaccination and the challenges faced by healthcare authorities. However less focus is being paid towards the impact of COVID-19 on mental health of the patients. This study is a cross-sectional study, measuring the prevalence of emotional distress among patients with COVID-19 in the Maldivian population. Methods This study was conducted in Maldivian nations above 18 of age with COVID-19 who were admitted in isolation facilities. Patients who were on treatment for any other chronic medical conditions, severe and critical COVID-19 disease were excluded. This study was conducted over a period of 2 months by administering a local translated version of DASS21 questionnaire. Results The total of 195 patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 40 (CI at 95% 38–42) years. The respondents were 48.7% men and 51.3% women. Overall, 9% of patients with COVID-19 had depression while 23% of patients had anxiety and 12% of the patients had stress. There was a statistically significant relationship between gender and depression, anxiety and stress (p < 0.01). Symptomatic cases had a significantly higher level of stress than asymptomatic patients (p < 0.05), but no significant association was observed with symptomatic status and anxiety or depression. Conclusion The management of patients with COVID-19 should be multi-disciplinary with special focus on the mental wellbeing of our patients. We should aim to establish proper communication with the patients in order to identify emotional distress and provide appropriate mental health care.

Background and objectives: Researchers are exploring the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment, vaccination and the challenges faced by healthcare authorities. However less focus is being paid towards the impact of COVID-19 on mental health of the patients. This study is a cross-sectional study, measuring the prevalence of emotional distress among patients with COVID-19 in the Maldivian population.Methods: This study was conducted in Maldivian nations above 18 of age with COVID-19 who were admitted in isolation facilities. Patients who were on treatment for any other chronic medical conditions, severe and critical COVID-19 disease were excluded. This study was conducted over a period of 2months by administering a local translated version of DASS21 questionnaire.Results: The total of 195 patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 40 (CI at 95% 38 - 42) years. The respondents were 48.7% men and 51.3% women. Overall, 9% of patients with COVID-19 had depression while 23% of patients had anxiety and 12% of the patients had stress. There was a statistically significant relationship between gender and depression, anxiety and stress (p<0.01). Symptomatic cases had a significantly higher level of stress than asymptomatic patients (p<0.05), but no significant association was observed with symptomatic status and anxiety or depression.Interpretations & conclusion: The management of patients with COVID-19 should be multi-disciplinary with special focus on the mental wellbeing of our patients. We should aim to establish proper communication with the patients in order to identify emotional distress and provide appropriate mental health care.

Maldives is a developing, geographically dispersed small-island nation with a population of 344,023. With an annual population growth rate of 1.65%, Maldives is nearing the end of its demographic transition. Though universal healthcare is enshrined in law in Maldives, the healthcare sector is underdeveloped and there is a lack of awareness of mental illnesses, especially those related to old age such as dementia. There is also a lack of resources and necessary expertise to address the urgent problem of mental healthcare provision. The recently launched national Mental Health Policy (2015–2025) and Health Master Plan 2016–2025 acknowledge mental health conditions, including dementia and cognitive impairment, as those requiring long-term care—which is a step in the right direction. The government needs to demonstrate a more formal commitment to dementia care by developing a National Dementia Strategy to be incorporated into the Mental Health Policy or Health Master Plan, in order to achieve tangible progress in their efforts to address the challenges faced by Maldives in dementia care.

Background and objectives: Researchers are exploring the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment, vaccination and the challenges faced by healthcare authorities. However less focus is being paid towards the impact of COVID-19 on mental health of the patients. This study is a cross-sectional study, measuring the prevalence of emotional distress among patients with COVID-19 in the Maldivian population.Methods: This study was conducted in Maldivian nations above 18 of age with COVID-19 who were admitted in isolation facilities. Patients who were on treatment for any other chronic medical conditions, severe and critical COVID-19 disease were excluded. This study was conducted over a period of 2months by administering a local translated version of DASS21 questionnaire.Results: The total of 195 patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 40 (CI at 95% 38 - 42) years. The respondents were 48.7% men and 51.3% women. Overall, 9% of patients with COVID-19 had depression while 23% of patients had anxiety and 12% of the patients had stress. There was a statistically significant relationship between gender and depression, anxiety and stress (p<0.01). Symptomatic cases had a significantly higher level of stress than asymptomatic patients (p<0.05), but no significant association was observed with symptomatic status and anxiety or depression.Interpretations & conclusion: The management of patients with COVID-19 should be multi-disciplinary with special focus on the mental wellbeing of our patients. We should aim to establish proper communication with the patients in order to identify emotional distress and provide appropriate mental health care.