Abstract

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON PSYCHOSOCIAL WELLBEING AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG GENERAL ADULT POPULATION: A QUESTIONNAIRE BASED SURVEY

Sahithya Sunil*, Jishnu Chandran C. T., Jisna Susan Ivan, Giften P. Oommen, Nasmi N.

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Abstract

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on public mental health and are asso- ciated with increased symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. There- fore, it’s essential to keep track of the mental health of the general adult population during the crisis such as pandemic in an immediate priority. This study aids to analyze impact of covid-19 on psychoso- cial health and mental wellbeing among general adult population. Methods: A questionnaire based online survey was conducted for a 6 months’ survey among general adult population in South Kerala. The information collected were assessed for the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depres- sion symptoms among general population during COVID-19(CORONA VIRUS DISEASE- 019) pandemic using PSS-4 (PERCIEVED STRESS SCALE-4) and PHQ-4 (PATIENT HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE-4) scale respectively and to assess the impact of precautionary behaviors towards the mental health of general adult population. Results: Among 717 partici- pants, the prevalence of anxiety and depression was 22.7% and 22.5% respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the depression was more prevalent as compared to anxiety in individuals age between 18-35 years and anxiety is more prevalent in individuals of age between 36-55 years. Age, gender, marital status, occupation (student, individuals in pri- vate sector, govt. employee, business, healthcare workers and others), disease threat to family members, self-exposure to disease, social isolation, unemployment are the important factors related to depression and anxiety symptoms. Following precautionary measures very often such as avoiding social gatherings, using homeopathic or ayurvedic remedies, and OTC (OVER THE COUNTER) medications helps to reduce Covid specific psychiatric symptoms. Conclusion: Some specific individual factors are associated with the prevalence of depression and anxiety among general adult population during Covid-19 pandemic. Early detection of psychiatric disturbance such as depression and anxiety aids for the development of psychological interventions and to prevent psychiatric complications especially for individuals with pre- dominating mental and physical health disorders.

Keywords: COVID-19, Depression, Anxiety, general population.