Prevalence of depression and anxiety among general population in Pakistan during COVID-19 lockdown: An online-survey

Abstract

The present study's aim is to find the prevalence of two of the common indicators of mental health - depression and anxiety – and any correlation with socio-demographic indicators in the Pakistani population during the lockdown from 5 May to 25 July 2020. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an online questionnaire sent to volunteer participants. A total of 1047 participants over 18 were recruited through convenience sampling. The survey targeted depression and anxiety levels, which were measured using a 14 item self-reporting Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Out of the total sample population (N=354), 39.9% suffered from depression and 57.7% from anxiety. Binary logistical regressions indicated significant predictive associations of gender (OR=1.410), education (OR=9.311), residence (OR=0.370), household income (OR=0.579), previous psychiatric problems (OR=1.671), and previous psychiatric medication (OR=2.641). These were the key factors e associated with a significant increase in depression. Increases in anxiety levels were significantly linked to gender (OR=2.427), residence (OR=0.619), previous psychiatric problems (OR=1.166), and previous psychiatric medication (OR=7.330). These results suggest depression and anxiety were prevalent among the Pakistani population during the lockdown. Along with other measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, citizens' mental health needs the Pakistani government's urgent attention as well as that of mental health experts. Further large-scale, such as healthcare practitioners, should be undertaken to identify other mental health indicators that need to be monitored.

Prevalence of psychological distress: a scientific approach towards the mental health and wellbeing of population during the SARS-COV-2 outbreak

“…Implementing measures like lockdowns, while necessary for control, can induce anxiety responses and contribute to increased fear and prejudice against those infected or affected. 12 Studies examining the impact of COVID-19 on mental well-being not only shed light on critical areas of concern but also offer insights into how healthcare services can be equipped with essential information and support to provide mental health treatment to those in need. 13 Consequently, prioritizing public mental health is paramount, necessitating the adaptation of policies to support individuals in navigating the challenges posed by the "new normal."…”

COVID-19 Pandemic Lessons for Creating Effective Mental Health Safety Nets in Lower Middle-Income Countries

“…In addition to the direct impact of the virus, the pandemic has also led to economic instability, social isolation, and increased domestic violence, which have further exacerbated mental health issues [ 15 ]. According to a Pakistani study, there was a considerable rise in the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms throughout the pandemic, with healthcare workers experiencing the greatest rates [ 16 ]. In accordance with a different study, the epidemic has increased Pakistan's suicide rates, underscoring the urgent need for mental health interventions [ 17 ].…”

Overexpression of GhGSTF9 Enhances Salt Stress Tolerance in Transgenic Arabidopsis

“…Studies elucidate how plants integrate external salt signals and internal developmental cues to regulate growth, development, and tolerance to salt stress. This regulatory mechanism involves multiple transcription factor families, including MYB, WRKY, and NAM/ATAF/CUC (NAC) [7][8][9], along with phytohormone, such as abscisic acid (ABA), auxin (AUX), brassinosteroid (BR), and gibberellin (GA) [10][11][12][13]. Notably, different transcription factors exhibit varying responses to salt stress.…”

“…These genes can offer insights into plants' strategies for adapting to salt stress [25][26][27]. With the rapid advancement of cotton genome research, several functional genes involved in the response to salt stress have been identified [8]. Studies have shown that overexpressing the transcription factors GhDof1 and GhABF2 in cotton enhances its tolerance to salt stress [28,29].…”