Characteristic Features of Impact of COVID-19 Pandemics on Mental Health of Population of Different Countries: Results of Cross-Sectional Online Studies in Albania, India, Iran and Nigeria

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus infection of 2019 (COVID-19) produced an incontestable impact on the mental health of people around the world. This impact is conditioned by a complex interrelation of social, cultural, economic and COVID-19-associated factors. However, insufficient data on comparison of parameters of mental health of the population in different countries limits our understanding of these interrelations.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the frequency of mental health disorders (general problems and problems related to COVID-19) and their correlations in four countries: Albania, India, Iran and Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, the problems of mental health of the population of four countries (Albania, India, Iran and Nigeria) were investigated. The participants were selected in the period from July 07, 2020 to November 13, 2020. The study used a cross-check anonymous online questioning to assess the degree of depression, anxiety and insomnia, which included “Patient Health Questionnaire” (PHQ-9), “Generalized Anxiety Disorder” 7 (GAD-7) questionnaire and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). To assess the mental health problems associated with COVID-19, the survey included Corona Anxiety Scale (CAS), Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS) and Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). To analyze the data, ꭓ2, Kruskal–Wallis tests and multiple linear regression were used.

RESULTS: In general, the prevalence of general anxiety, depression, insomnia and COVID-19-associated anxiety, was higher among the Iranian population compared to the other three countries. Risk factors for increased anxiety about the new coronavirus infection were fear, depression, trouble and age; however, these factors were different in the four studied countries. The parameter was highest (47%) in the Albanian population and lowest (20%) in India.

CONCLUSIONS: This study shows different prevalence of psychological health disorders during the ongoing pandemics, including problems associated with COVID-19, in different countries. Therefore, healthcare policy and measures adopted in different countries, should be adapted to specific needs of the country rather than be based on the universal global responsive measures.

About the authors

Elona Dashi

University Hospital Center “Mother Theresa”

Email: elonadashi@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9280-2734

MD

Albania, Tirana

Bita Vahdani

Qazvin University of Medical Sciences

Email: bita.vahdani@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5727-8359

MD

Iran, Islamic Republic of, Qazvin

Ashish Chepure

Vilasrao Deshmukh Government Institute of Medical Sciences

Email: ashu.chepure@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2286-2050

MD, MBBS

India, Latur, Maharashtra

Nafisatu Hayatudeen

Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital

Email: nhayatudeen@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9502-3971

MBBS, FWACP

Nigeria, Kaduna, Kaduna State

Padma Kumari

BKL Walawalkar Rural Medical College

Email: skpadma444@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4026-5172

MD, MBBS

India, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra

Sara Farhang

Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Email: farhangs@tbzmed.ac.ir
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8552-138X

MD

Iran, Islamic Republic of, Tabriz

Rodrigo Ramalho

School of Population Health, University of Auckland

Email: r.ramalho@auckland.ac.nz
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2372-6854

MD, PhD

New Zealand, Auckland

Ishwar Patil

BKL Walawalkar Rural Medical College

Email: ipp8507@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0426-8309

MA

India, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra

Mahnaz Majidi

Qazvin University of Medical Sciences

Email: m.majidi@qums.ac.ir
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7498-571X

MD

Iran, Islamic Republic of, Qazvin

Ramdas Ransing

BKL Walawalkar Rural Medical College

Author for correspondence.
Email: ramdas_ransing123@yahoo.co.in
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5040-5570

MD, MBBS

India, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra

Enita Metaj

University Hospital Center “Mother Theresa”

Email: enitametaj@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4975-8739

MD

Albania, Tirana

Umar Baba Musami

Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Maiduguri; University of Maiduguri

Email: ubmusami@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3540-4120

MBBS, MSc GMH (UK), FWACP

Nigeria, Maiduguri, Borno State; Maiduguri, Borno State

Adesokun Fisayo

University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Email: adesaayo@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2849-3420

MBBS, FWACP

Nigeria, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Izuchukwu Metu

University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Email: charlesizar@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4581-8741

MBBS, MWACP

Nigeria, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Apurva Ungratwar

Vilasrao Deshmukh Government Institute of Medical Sciences

Email: apurvakarmveer@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7515-6112

MBBS, DPM, DNB

India, Latur, Maharashtra

Sajjadur Rehman

Lady Hardinge Medical College

Email: sajjadur25@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3134-5330

MBBS, DPM, DNB

India, New Delhi

Valbona Alikaj

University Hospital Center “Mother Theresa”; Tirana Medical University

Email: alikajv@yahoo.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5849-0557

MD

Albania, Tirana; Tirana

Tamuno-Wari Numbere

Department of Public Health, Rivers State Ministry of Health

Email: warinumbere@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2836-6157
Nigeria, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Frances Adiukwu

University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital; University of Port Harcourt

Email: Francesadiukwu@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5543-1746

MBBS, FWACP

Nigeria, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Port Harcourt, Rivers State

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Copyright (c) 2022 Dashi E., Vahdani B., Chepure A., Hayatudeen N., Kumari P., Farhang S., Ramalho R., Patil I., Majidi M., Ransing R., Metaj E., Baba Musami U., Fisayo A., Metu I., Ungratwar A., Rehman S., Alikaj V., Numbere T., Adiukwu F.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
 


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