<p>Depression, Anxiety and Associated Factors Among Chronic Medical Patients Amid COVID-19 Pandemic in Mettu Karl Referral Hospital, Mettu, Ethiopia, 2020</p>

Abstract

Background COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the mental health condition of the world's population. Although the direct effect of COVID-19 on the mental health status of chronic medical patients is well understood, the burden of depression and anxiety on patients with chronic medical conditions is not well studied yet. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety and associated factors among chronic medical patients amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Mettu Karl Referral Hospital, Mettu, Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1 to July 30, 2020 among chronic medical patients in Mettu Karl Referral Hospital, Ethiopia. Consecutive sampling technique was applied with a total of 423 samples. Quantitative data were employed by using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistical procedures, bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions with odds ratios and 95% confidence interval (CI) were employed. The statistical significance was declared at p value < 0.05. Results The findings showed that the prevalence of depression and anxiety among chronic medical patients was 55.7% and 61.8%, respectively. Female gender (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI (1.06, 2.59)), poor social support (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI (1.10, 3.42)), widowed/divorced (AOR = 3.92, 95% CI (1.59, 9.64)), separated (AOR = 3.66, 95% CI (1.64, 8.19)), and longer duration of illness (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI (1.15, 2.89)) were significantly associated with depression, whereas earlier age at onset of illness, having more than three co-morbid diagnoses, tobacco use and poor social support were found to have significant association with anxiety among chronic medical patients amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia. Conclusion The magnitude of concurrent depression and anxiety in the current study was high. Strategies for prompt identification and treatment of depression and anxiety should be developed among medically ill patients.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh: A Survey-Based Cross- Sectional Study

“…In this study, the prevalence of mental health symptoms was higher than previous reports from the United Kingdom [26] and Iran [27] during the COVID-19 pandemic further confirming the high burden of the disease in this region [14]. Similar high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress have been reported in other countries during a pandemic including Ethiopia [28] and Australia, particularly during the highly infectious equine influenza in 2007 [29]. Although the higher prevalence of mental health symptoms found in this study may be related to the methods used in assessing the mental health symptoms, it is an indication of an unmet need in the country's health care system that is fueled by the pandemic and lack of psychiatrists to fulfil these needs [30].…”

Prevalence and Factors associated with Mental health impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh: A survey based cross sectional study

“…The authors attributed factors such as the recommended self-quarantine and isolation measures, employment uncertainty, and the rapid spread of COVID-19 related misinformation [24]. A similar high prevalence of depression and anxiety was reported among those with chronic medical problems in Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic [25], and in Australia, a high prevalence of psychological distress was reported during the highly infectious equine influenza in 2007 [26]. The higher prevalence of mental health symptoms found in this study compared to previous studies may be due to the difference in the study population between studies as well as the socio-cultural differences and the methods used in assessing the mental health symptoms.…”

“…In that study, those with no formal education were more likely to report depression during the epidemic. Other studies have also reported significant associations between the lower level of education, and anxiety and depression levels [ 20, 25 ]. In contrast to these studies, we found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, respondents in Bangladesh who had a higher level of education reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress [ 31, 39 ].…”

“…perpetuity. preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25), severe stress (26+), and extremely severe stress (35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42) [18]. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of stress subscale scores ranged from 0.78 to 0.81, indicating an acceptable level of internal consistency.…”

Quarantine Effect on Psychological Health Among People of Karachi, Pakistan Due to Pandemic of COVID-19.

“…The possible reason could be the direct effect of the co-morbid medical condition, medication used to treat medical illness, illness related anxiety or stress related to longer duration, and the severity of COVID-19 outcome among those who have another chronic medical condition and longer duration of illness (36). Many literatures have clearly provided evidence on association of occupation/jobs and income on one's mental health.…”