Reza Shahriarirad1,2, Amirhossein Erfani3,4, Keivan Ranjbar1,2, Amir Bazrafshan5, Alireza Mirahmadizadeh6. 1. Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Zand Street, Shiraz, Iran. 2. Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 3. Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Zand Street, Shiraz, Iran. Ahnerfani@gmail.com. 4. Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Ahnerfani@gmail.com. 5. Substance Abuse Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 6. Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Disease outbreak not only carries the risk of death to the public due to the infection, but it also can lead to unbearable psychological impact on the mental health of the individuals. This study aims to explore and evaluate the burden of psychological problems on the Iranian general population during the outbreak of COVID-19. METHOD: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among the general population of Iran age 15 and above. Demographic variables, depression, and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaires. RESULTS: Among the 8591 participants, the mean age was 34.37 (± 11.25) years and 66.4% were female while 33.6% were male. Based on our results, 1295 (15.1%) and 1733 (20.1%) of the general population had clinically significant depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Based on the demographic variables, female gender was associated with a higher risk for developing depression and anxiety symptoms, whereas getting information about the disease from medical journals and articles, being older, and being married were considered as associated protective factors. In terms of depression, being a healthcare worker was an associated risk factor. On the other hand, for anxiety, having higher education was a protective factor while a higher number of individuals in a household was considered as a risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a major mental health problem in the Iranian population during the time of the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, establishing a targeted mental health support program during the time of public emergencies, such as the disease outbreak, is advised.
BACKGROUND: Disease outbreak not only carries the risk of death to the public due to the infection, but it also can lead to unbearable psychological impact on the mental health of the individuals. This study aims to explore and evaluate the burden of psychological problems on the Iranian general population during the outbreak of COVID-19. METHOD: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among the general population of Iran age 15 and above. Demographic variables, depression, and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaires. RESULTS: Among the 8591 participants, the mean age was 34.37 (± 11.25) years and 66.4% were female while 33.6% were male. Based on our results, 1295 (15.1%) and 1733 (20.1%) of the general population had clinically significant depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Based on the demographic variables, female gender was associated with a higher risk for developing depression and anxiety symptoms, whereas getting information about the disease from medical journals and articles, being older, and being married were considered as associated protective factors. In terms of depression, being a healthcare worker was an associated risk factor. On the other hand, for anxiety, having higher education was a protective factor while a higher number of individuals in a household was considered as a risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a major mental health problem in the Iranian population during the time of the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, establishing a targeted mental health support program during the time of public emergencies, such as the disease outbreak, is advised.
Authors: Kurt Kroenke; Robert L Spitzer; Janet B W Williams; Patrick O Monahan; Bernd Löwe Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 2007-03-06 Impact factor: 25.391
Authors: Ivan Wing Chit Mak; Chung Ming Chu; Pey Chyou Pan; Michael Gar Chung Yiu; Veronica Lee Chan Journal: Gen Hosp Psychiatry Date: 2009-04-15 Impact factor: 3.238
Authors: Jesús Maximiliano Granados Villalpando; Humberto Azuara Forcelledo; Jorge Luis Ble Castillo; Alejandro Jiménez Sastré; Isela Esther Juárez Rojop; Viridiana Olvera Hernández; Fernando Enrique Mayans Canabal; Crystell Guadalupe Guzmán Priego Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-07 Impact factor: 4.614