Knowledge, practice, and impact of COVID-19 on mental health among patients with chronic health conditions at selected hospitals of Sidama regional state, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background COVID-19 causes worse outcomes and a higher mortality rate in adults with chronic medical conditions. In addition, the pandemic is influencing mental health and causing psychological distress in people with chronic medical illnesses. Objective To assess the knowledge, practice, and impact of COVID-19 on mental health among chronic disease patients at selected hospitals in Sidama regional state. Method A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 422 study subjects were enrolled in the study using a two-stage sampling technique. Data were coded and entered using Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS-20 for analysis. Descriptive analysis was used to present the data using tables and figures. Bivariate and multivariate logistic analyses were used to identify factors associated with the initiation of preventive behavior of COVID-19. Variables with a P-value of less than 0.25 in bivariate analysis were considered as candidate variables for multivariable analysis. The statistical significance was declared at a P-value less than 0.05. Result More than half 237 (56.2%, 95% CI: 50.7–60.9) of the study participants had good knowledge of COVID-19. The practice of preventive measures toward COVID-19 was found to be low (42.4%, 95% CI: 37.9–47.2). Being widowed (AOR = 0.31, 95% CI (0.10, 0.92)), secondary and above educational status (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI (1.01, 4.84)), urban residence (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI (1.30, 4.19)) and good knowledge (AOR = 4.87, 95% CI (2.96, 8.00)) were significantly associated with good practice. In addition, more than one-third of the study participants 37% (95% CI 32.7, 41.5) were experiencing anxiety. While more than a quarter of respondents 26.8% (95% CI 22.5, 31.5) had depression. Conclusion and recommendation Despite more than half of the participants had good knowledge, the prevention practice was low. Hence, multiple information dissemination strategies should be implemented continuously among chronic disease patients. In addition, the magnitude of concurrent depression and anxiety in the current study was high.

The impact of COVID-19 on non-communicable disease patients in sub-Saharan African countries: systematic review

“…In addition, this study identified that lower education levels and lower income show a significant association with the problem. Furthermore, a study conducted in Brazil demonstrated that 65.1% of individuals reported an increase in unhealthy food intake and a decrease in the intake of fruits and vegetables among hypertensive patients [53] Moreover, the pandemic is also resulting in an increased prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues [13,15,16,38]. These findings are consistent with other studies conducted on the topic in different parts of the world [6,51].…”

The impact of COVID-19 on non-communicable disease patients in sub-Saharan African countries: A systematic review

“…Moreover, the pandemic is also resulting in an increased prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues [ 13 , 15 , 16 , 38 ]. These findings are consistent with other studies conducted on the topic in different parts of the world [ 6 , 51 ].…”

“…According to WHO (2020), the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological well-being of individuals with chronic diseases has not been uniform across different countries and populations. Factors such as the availability and quality of mental health care infrastructure, the degree of COVID-19 transmission, and the socio-economic status of the population have been identified as potential determinants of the impact of the pandemic on the psychological well-being of individuals with chronic diseases [ 13 , 15 , 16 , 38 ]. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of addressing the psychological well-being of individuals with chronic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 38 ].…”

“…People with NCDs were also found to be more vulnerable to the psychological effects of COVID-19 and required additional support due to social distancing and other preventative measures [ 13 , 14 ]. Moreover, studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic identified a significant increase in the prevalence of NCD risk factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, inadequate physical excessive, and unhealthy diet/eating poorly [ 13 , 15 , 16 ]. An increased need for substance use treatment resulting from pandemic related stress, anxiety and social isolation has also been reported [ 13 , 17 , 18 ].…”