Impact of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on the Mental Health and Physical Activity of Pharmacy Students at the University of Zambia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Mudenda, Steward; Mukosha, Moses; Mwila, Chiluba; Saleem, Zikria; Kalungia, Aubrey; Munkombwe, Derick; Daka, Victor; Witika, Bwalya A.; Kampamba, Martin; Chileshe, Misheck; Hikaambo, Christabel Nang’andu; Kasanga, Maisa; Mufwambi, Webrod; Mfune, Ruth Lindizyani; Matafwali, Scott Kaba; Bwalya, Angela Gono; Banda, David Agamemnon; Gupta, Akashi; Phiri, Maureen Nkandu; Kazonga, Eustarckio

doi:10.1101/2021.01.11.21249547

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…Even before the pandemic a significant negative relationship between perceived stress and locus of control has been reported among higher education students [ 42 ]. It can be assumed that the effects have worsened, which is in line with Mudenda et al who found that feelings of helplessness during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with mental health in pharmacy students [ 43 ]. Consistent with this observation, Kuehner et al found a high internal locus of control to be a conducive personality trait for better psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 44 ]…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Psychological Stress among Students in Health-Related Fields during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study at Selected Munich Universities

Schröpfer¹,

Schmidt

Kus³

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging period of upheaval for higher education students. This study aims to assess the factors associated with psychological stress during the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of students in health-related fields at Munich universities in Germany. Students (n = 623) from KSH Munich and LMU Munich completed an online cross-sectional survey. Information on demographics and academic and everyday difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as data on physical and mental health were collected. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the outcome. The prevalence for higher psychological stress was 44% among the study population. Factors associated with higher psychological stress were: lower overall life satisfaction (p < 0.0001), worsened health situation (p < 0.0001), lack of social support (p = 0.0301) and social interaction (p = 0.0115), worries about financial difficulties due to loss of income (p = 0.0134), stressful thoughts about a second wave (p < 0.0001), feeling unable to positively influence the situation (p = 0.0262) and study-related effects, such as perceived study burden (p = 0.0003) and likely delay in studies (p = 0.0178)). The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant negative impact on the mental health of students in health-related fields. Proactive efforts to support the mental health and well-being of students are needed.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Psychological Stress among Students in Health-Related Fields during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study at Selected Munich Universities

Schröpfer¹,

Schmidt

Kus³

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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show abstract

“…For example, a team of scholars at the University of Zambia conducted a cross-sectional study on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and physical activity of undergraduate pharmacy students at the University. The findings established that COVID-19 had affected the students (Mudenda, Mukosha, Chiluba 2021). On a broad scale, it means that COVID-19 has impacted the mental health of different populations across the country (Ibid 2021).…”

Section: Inadequate Infrastructure For Mental Patients: the Debate Ar...mentioning

confidence: 93%

“…As mental health is fundamentally integrated into the mainstream primary health care systems, mental patients are key stakeholders whose human rights should drive policy direction to migrate them from the side-step of system to the center. For example, Mudenda and his colleagues contend that in addition to modifying the facets of the learning environment at the university of Zambia, extra consideration should be given to provide psychosocial support to students negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (Mudenda, Mukosha, Chiluba, Munkombwe, Daka, Witika, Kampamba, Chileshe 2021). Addressing these health challenges in a more multi-pronged manner requires constant advocacy to policy makers and alike.…”

Section: Current Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zambia’s Mental Health Patients: Victims of Unspeakable Infrastructure Challenge in Zambia’s Health System

Chilufya¹

2022

GJHS

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Purpose: This article attempts to examine the critical role that physical health infrastructure and associated facilities play in the delivery of effective integrated primary health care services for mental patients in Zambia. The working definition for ‘physical infrastructure’ in the paper relates to wider capacities in form of hospital buildings, bed spaces, medical equipment, and professional healthcare personnel, among other elements that facilitate effective operations of a health facility. Methodology: This study has used both quantitative and qualitative data from various sources to map the debate on the impact of inadequate infrastructure on mental health patients in Zambia’s health system. Findings: Inadequate health infrastructure has had a negative impact on the well-being of mental health patients and other sectors of the Zambian society. The entire country has only one ill-resourced main hospital, offering mental health services and has been overwhelmed by a combination of insufficient infrastructure and effects of COVID-19 pandemic. Unique contributions to theory, practice, and policy: For the health reforms to be effective, it is recommended that the conceptual integrated health system in Zambia be anchored on universal allocation of adequate resources and operationalization of mental health policies that genuinely connect with social determinants of mental health issues within communities. The involvement of non-governmental organizations providing an interface between communities and governments should be supported by organizational and multi-institution capacity and coordination. A systems theory informed this study and has been elaboratively discussed in the second chapter of this paper

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“…A representative sample size of the population was calculated using Yamane's formula similar to another study involving pharmacy students in Zambia 57 . After extrapolating to a finite population of 632 undergraduate pharmacy students, a margin of error of 5% and an anticipated 10% loss or nonresponse, a minimum sample size of 259 was obtained.…”

Section: Sample Size Calculationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Awareness and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines and associated factors among pharmacy students in Zambia

et al. 2022

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AimThis study aimed to assess the awareness and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines and associated factors among pharmacy studentsin Zambia.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among 326 undergraduate pharmacy students in Lusaka, Zambia, from February to April 2021.Data were analysed using Stata version 16.1. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine key factors influencing vaccineacceptance.ResultsOf the 326 participants, 98.8% were aware of the COVID-19 vaccines, but only 24.5% would accept vaccination. Compared to otherreligions, being of Christian faith was associated with reduced odds of awareness of the COVID-19 vaccine (aOR=0.01, 95% CI:0.01-0.20). Conversely, factors associated with vaccine acceptance were being male, single and unemployed. Compared to females,male respondents were 86% more likely to accept the vaccine if it was made available (aOR=1.86, 95% CI: 1.10-3.14). In addition,unmarried respondents were 2.65 times as likely to accept vaccination than married respondents (aOR=2.65, 95% CI: 1.06-6.63).Conversely, unemployed respondents were less likely to accept vaccination than their employed counterparts (aOR=0.32, 95% CI:0.16-0.46). Barriers to the acceptability of the vaccine were possible side effects (78.5%) and scepticism about its effectiveness(10.2%).ConclusionThere was significant vaccine hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccines among Zambian pharmacy students despite their awarenessof the vaccines. Health authorities must work collaboratively with training institutions to mitigate vaccine hesitancy, especially withhealthcare students being a key part of the future healthcare workforce overseeing disease prevention strategies.

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Impact of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on the Mental Health and Physical Activity of Pharmacy Students at the University of Zambia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Cited by 10 publications

References 65 publications

Psychological Stress among Students in Health-Related Fields during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study at Selected Munich Universities

Psychological Stress among Students in Health-Related Fields during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study at Selected Munich Universities

Zambia’s Mental Health Patients: Victims of Unspeakable Infrastructure Challenge in Zambia’s Health System

Awareness and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines and associated factors among pharmacy students in Zambia

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