<p>The Magnitude of Psychological Problem and Associated Factor in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Among Communities Living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 2020: A Cross-Sectional Study Design</p>

Abstract

Purpose: COVID-19 pandemic is a World Health Organization day-today work and has a significant crisis on the physical and mental health of humans. However, little is known about the mental health crisis of the pandemic in Sub-Saharan countries. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the magnitude of psychological problems and associated factors among communities living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from March 10 to 30, 2020. Data were collected from 420 respondents selected using a consecutive sampling technique. An online self-administered and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) survey during the initial phase of the pandemic was conducted to assess the presence of psychological problems for the last two weeks in response to the infection. Results: The magnitude of the psychological problem from moderate to severe levels was 66.4%. The predictor variables of the outcome were female gender, above the secondary level of education, monthly income below 3000 ETB, and more than three family size at 95% CI, P<0.05. Conclusion: At the time of the initial COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia, nearly two-thirds of the respondents reported moderate to severe levels of psychological problems. Therefore, working on those identified factors would be vital to promote the mental resilience of a community towards the pandemic.

Gender Differences in Psychosocial Status of Adolescents During COVID-19: A Six-country Cross-sectional Survey in Asia Pacific

“…In the United States, a survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found a 3 to 4 times increase in the rates of adverse mental or behavioral health conditions relative to one year prior among surveyed adults; and suicidal ideation was signi cantly higher among younger adults (18-24 years) group and unpaid adult-caregivers group [16]. Similar ndings have also been observed in various countries such as Ethiopia, China, and Saudi Arabia indicating the substantial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has on the mental health of individuals [1,32,64]. This is particularly concerning as adolescence is a period of heightened sensitivity to stress [62].…”

COVID-19-Induced Anxiety and Associated Factors Among Urban Residents in West Shewa Zone, Central Ethiopia, 2020

“…15 Assessing the perceived risk and protective behaviors and COVID-19-induced anxiety of the population is crucial to be more effective in prevention and control activities towards the outbreak in this country. 16,17 Therefore, the findings of this study can provide important additional evidence to the existing literature to aid further researchers as well as for the community.…”

“…The finding is lower compared to the magnitude reported in Addis Ababa communities, 36%. 17 Similarly, a systematic review and meta-analysis of seventeen articles reported a relatively higher anxiety rate (31.9%) among the general public during the pandemic. 22 However, the prevalence rate varied from 6% to 50%.…”

“…38 However, in contrast to these findings, other researches done in lowincome countries reported higher rates of psychological problems during the COVID pandemic among people with higher educational status. 17,[39][40][41] This difference could be related to the variation between the educational statuses of the target population. Similarly, being widowed was significantly associated with COVID-19induced anxiety.…”

The prevalence of general anxiety disorder and its associated factors among women attending the perinatal service of Dilla University referral hospital, Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The magnitude of perinatal depression before the pandemic period in Ethiopia was 25.8% [ 18 ], and psychological distress during the pandemic period at the community level was 66.4% [ 19 ].…”