Factors Associated with Psychological Distress among Myanmar Residents during Covid-19 Pandemic Crises

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic reached a public health emergency status of international concern. The impacts and events associated with this were associated with adverse psychological impacts among the general public globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of psychological distress and to identify predictors associated with psychological distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic among the population in Myanmar.Design and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to April 2020 among adults, 18 years old and above, who reside in Myanmar through a structured questionnaire distributed in social media platforms. Univariate and Bivariate analyses were used to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) symptoms and to test the associations between CPDI and the exposure variables. Logistic Regression Analysis was done to identify significant predictors of distress.Results: There were 530 participants in this study.37.4% of them did not have psychological distress,55.6% experienced mild to moderate psychological distress, and 7% experienced severe psychological distress due to COVID-19 pandemic. Simple and Multiple Logistic Regression Analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with psychological distress due to COVID-19.Conclusions: It was shown that the self-employed group and age group older than 45 years old had more psychological distress than others. However, Buddhists and people from the capital city had less distress than other religions and districts. This study recommends the government to develop better strategies for self-employed groups, elders, and the poor for a support, relief, and resettlement of their ruined status.

Adapted digital health literacy and health information seeking behavior among lower income groups in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Studies have unanimously agreed that COVID-19 has severe health repercussions, including quality of life ( 14 ), mental health ( 15 – 19 ), and psychological distress ( 20 – 25 ). Misinformation and vaccine efficacy also impacted the global COVID-19 vaccination program, driving vaccine hesitancy ( 26 – 28 ).…”

Covid-19 Lockdown Health Consequences for Residents of Ilorin South Local Government Area, Kwara State

“…Also, a higher percentage of respondents (63.5%) in a study carried out by [34], respondents did not suffer any distress due to the pandemic. It was also reported by [35] al in their study among Myanmar residents that 62.6% of the respondents suffered psychological distress because of the Covid-19 pandemic…”

“…The results of this study also revealed that the health effects of Covid-19 lockdown on people of Ilorin South Local Government Area in Kwara State differed statistically significantly by gender, age, educational status, and occupation. The study by [37] among Filipino healthcare workers showed that anxiety experienced by participants during the pandemic differed by gender, age, marital status, living status, occupation, work premises and availability of mental health services, while the psychological distress experienced by participants in [35] study also differed by occupation, age, religion and educational status, there was however no statistical difference based on gender among the residents of Myanmar studied. In the present study, there was a disparity in the health effects of Covid-19 lockdown between male and female residents.…”

Digital health literacy for COVID-19 vaccination and intention to be immunized: A cross sectional multi-country study among the general adult population

“…Participants completed the Digital Health Literacy Instrument (DHLI) (8), which was adapted in the context of the COVID Health Literacy Network. The scale measures one's ability to seek, find, understand, and appraise health information from digital resources.…”

“…These measures were effective in reducing both transmission and the overall burden of COVID-19 disease (1). However, research has conclusively shown that COVID-19 has severe health effects including quality of life (2), mental health (3-7), and psychological distress (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13).…”