Athina Patelarou1, Enkeleint A Mechili2,3, Petros Galanis4, Michail Zografakis-Sfakianakis1, Theocharis Konstantinidis1, Aurela Saliaj3, Jorgjia Bucaj3, Evis Alushi5, Juan Manuel Carmona-Torres6,7, Ana Isabel Cobo-Cuenca6,7, José Alberto Laredo-Aguilera6,7, Evridiki Patelarou1. 1. Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Crete, Greece. 2. Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece. 3. Department of Healthcare, Faculty of Public Health, University of Vlora, Vlora, Albania. 4. Faculty of Nursing, Center for Health Services Management and Evaluation, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. 5. Department of Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, University of Vlora, Vlora, Albania. 6. Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain. 7. Multidisciplinary Research Group in Care (IMCU Group), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV2 pandemic obligated most of the European countries to implement strict measures and lockdowns to minimize the spread of the virus. Universities closed and on-line classes started. However, COVID-19 epidemic has significant impact on mental health of population. AIM: To assess depression level of nursing students (undergraduate and master) in Greece, Spain and Albania during COVID-19 pandemic as well as to identify possible determinants of depression level. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2020. An on-line questionnaire was used to collect the data. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to evaluate the depression levels of nursing students. RESULTS: Seven hundred and eighty-seven nursing students participated in the study out of which 83.9% were of female gender, 92.9% single and 94.7% lived with others. One third of the nursing student population experienced mild depression, with higher depression levels noted for Spanish students (59.1%) followed by Albanian (34.5%) and Greek (21.8%) students. Multivariate linear regression analysis identified that Spanish students experienced more depression than Greek and Albanian (p < 0.001). Also, decreased age was associated with increased depression. CONCLUSION: The impact of lockdown and quarantine on nursing students mental health is clear. Provision of university based mental health interventions should be a priority.
BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV2 pandemic obligated most of the European countries to implement strict measures and lockdowns to minimize the spread of the virus. Universities closed and on-line classes started. However, COVID-19 epidemic has significant impact on mental health of population. AIM: To assess depression level of nursing students (undergraduate and master) in Greece, Spain and Albania during COVID-19 pandemic as well as to identify possible determinants of depression level. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2020. An on-line questionnaire was used to collect the data. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to evaluate the depression levels of nursing students. RESULTS: Seven hundred and eighty-seven nursing students participated in the study out of which 83.9% were of female gender, 92.9% single and 94.7% lived with others. One third of the nursing student population experienced mild depression, with higher depression levels noted for Spanish students (59.1%) followed by Albanian (34.5%) and Greek (21.8%) students. Multivariate linear regression analysis identified that Spanish students experienced more depression than Greek and Albanian (p < 0.001). Also, decreased age was associated with increased depression. CONCLUSION: The impact of lockdown and quarantine on nursing students mental health is clear. Provision of university based mental health interventions should be a priority.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; depression; mental health; nursing students
Authors: Ewa Kupcewicz; Marzena Mikla; Helena Kadučáková; Elżbieta Grochans; Maria Dolores Roldán Valcarcel; Anna Maria Cybulska Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-21 Impact factor: 3.390