Study of knowledge, attitude, anxiety & perceived mental healthcare need in Indian population during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Novel Corona Virus Disease originating from China has rapidly crossed borders, infecting people throughout the whole world. This phenomenon has led to a massive public reaction; the media has been reporting continuously across borders to keep all informed about the pandemic situation. All these things are creating a lot of concern for people leading to heightened levels of anxiety. Pandemics can lead to heightened levels of stress; Anxiety is a common response to any stressful situation. This study attempted to assess the knowledge, attitude, anxiety experience, and perceived mental healthcare need among adult Indian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire using a non-probability snowball sampling technique. A total of 662 responses were received.The responders had a moderate level of knowledge about the COVID-19 infection and adequate knowledge about its preventive aspects. The attitude towards COVID-19 showed peoples' willingness to follow government guidelines on quarantine and social distancing. The anxiety levels identified in the study were high. More than 80 % of the people were preoccupied with the thoughts of COVID-19 and 72 % reported the need to use gloves, and sanitizers. In this study, sleep difficulties, paranoia about acquiring COVID-19 infection and distress related social media were reported in 12.5 %, 37.8 %, and 36.4 % participants respectively. The perceived mental healthcare need was seen in more than 80 % of participants. There is a need to intensify the awareness and address the mental health issues of people during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Perceived Stress and Psychological (Dis)Stress among Indian Endodontists During COVID19 Pandemic Lock down

“…This survey received a total of 586 valid responses from endodontists across India during the study period. Of them 311(53.07%) were males and 325(55%) of the respondents belonged to the age group of [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] years. Predominantly the endodontists practiced in urban area(64%), engaging in solo practice(13.14%), private & group practice along with consultations (PSPC/GP-23.21%), only consultations(8.02%) and academics along with clinical practice(27.65%).…”

“…There was a perceived mental healthcare need in at least 80 % of participants. (Roy et al, 2020) A study among Chinese HCW exposed to COVID-19 patients reported distress(75%), depression(50%), anxiety(45%), and insomnia(34%). Till date, the psychological stress perception due to COVID19 has not been assessed among Indian endodontists though they fall under high-risk group for this infection.…”

Anxiety, depression, attitudes, and internet addiction during the initial phase of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic: A cross-sectional study in México

“…37 According to our results internet abuse was also associated to sleep problems and younger age. Roy et al, 20 found that, in Indian population, sleep difficulties, paranoia about acquiring COVID-19 infection and distress related to social media use were reported in 12.5 %, 37.8 %, and 36.4 % participants, respectively. The negative impact of internet abuse on both sleep duration and sleep quality has been previously described in the literature.…”

“…[16][17][18][19] Due to the sudden onset of COVID-19, few studies have explored the effects of SARS-COV-2 on mental health. 14,20,21 To our knowledge there are no studies in Latin American countries that have explored how this pandemic may increase internet addiction, and its relationship to triggering anxiety and depression in the general population. We believe that a comprehensive management of the pandemic is essential, not only focusing on the physical aspects and infected patients, but also on mental health , which can be directly reflected in ideas, emotions, and cognition.…”

Pandemic related Health literacy – A Systematic Review of literature in COVID-19, SARS and MERS pandemics

“…Among the three themes, pandemic related knowledge was most studied, followed by practices and attitudes (Tables 2-4). In the knowledge domain, symptoms (13,14,16,, transmission (14, 16, 22, 23, 25-29, 31-34, 37-49, 51, 52, 55-57, 59-78) and incubation period of the virus (16, 23, 26-28, 32, 37, 38, 41, 42, 46-50, 52-57, 59-64, 66-69, 78); management and treatment options (14, 16, 22-24, 26, 27, 29, 37, 39-43, 46, 48-51, 55, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66-70, 78, 79); and clinical outcomes associated with infection (13, 16, 23-27, 29, 34, 37, 38, 40, 48, 50-52, 55, 56, 59, 61, 63-67, 69, 74-76, 78-81); high risk populations for infection (16, 23, 26, 27, 29, 37, 39-41, 48, 49, 55-59, 63, 65, 67, 68, 72, 78, 79); availability of vaccine (16, 29, 37, 39, 40, 42-44, 48, 52, 55, 56, 58, 60-63, 65, 68, 70, 74-76, 79); role of hand hygiene (14, 16, 24, 25, 28, 29, 42, 43, 45, 47, 48, 50, 52, 55-58, 60, 64, 66, 69-71, 82, 83) was most studied for medical and non-medical staff. (Table 2) For medical related populations specifically, knowledge about epidemiology (29, 37, 39, 42, 44, 53, 58, 59, 61-63, 65, 66, 78, 79) and diagnosis of infection (16, 46, 48, 49, 55, 56, 58-63, 67, 76) were also frequently evaluated.…”