First episode psychosis related to COVID-19 infection

Introduction: During the course of COVID-19 pandemic, The respiratory system is the most commonly affected while many neuropsychiatric manifestations of the disease have been observed. Objective(s): Emphasize the importance of eliminating the diagnosis of covid 19 infection in a pandemic context face to first episode psychosis. Method(s): Presentation of case report Results: A 29-year-old woman unemployed married with no personal medical history and with psychiatric family history. She wasn't exposed to subject with covid 19 in her family circle. She was admitted in psychiatric care for acute behavioural disorders during five days. On physical examination: she was afebrile, eupneic and tachycardiac. Oxygen saturation was 96% and blood pressure was 100/50 mmHg. Specialized neurological examination was normal and cerebral CT scan was without abnormalities. At the psychiatric interview she was extremely agitated. She was distressed her speech was incoherent. She had auditory and visual hallucinations and a multi-thematic delirium. One day after her admission she died suddenly, the autopsy found positive RT PCR covid test and bilateral basal pneumonia. Conclusion(s): In individuals presenting with new-onset psychosis in areas endemic to COVID-19, consideration should be made for neuropsychiatric manifestations of Covid 19 from where the importance to push the explorations and to test the patients.

Depression among frontline medical and paramedical staff during the coronavirus pandemic

Introduction: The current coronavirus pandemic is a unique and unusual situation. It is putting the general population under severe strain. However, frontline medical and paramedical staff remain particularly vulnerable to depression because of its close contact with patients. Objective(s): The aim of this work was to screen and evaluate depression in the frontline professionals during the pandemic and to study their associated factors . Method(s): In this study , we conducted a national descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study over a 2-month period from September to October 2020. We used "Beck Depression Inventory" to assess depression and "Brief Cope Scale" to detect a possible correlation between depression and coping mechanisms. Result(s): We collected 78 professionals. The mean age was 29.86 years. 2/3 of workers were women. 67.9% of the staff were residents. 39.7% worked in Covid units. 7.7% had personal psychiatric history. 56.4% of the staff worked daily and 76.9% of them provided direct care to patients with Coronavirus. 52.6% of workers did not receive adequate training of protection against Covid-19. The staff reported 66.7% of death among their patients. 42.3% suffered from minor depression and only 2.3% suffered from severe depression. During this period we objectified an increase of 14.1% in the psychoactive substances use. Stigma affected 57.7% of professionals. We didn't objectify a significant correlation between Depression and coping mechanisms . Conclusion(s): Screening depression among healthcare professionals should be considered in order to prevent it, ensure continuity of care and avoid sick leaves.

Coping strategies among medical and paramedic frontline healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic

Introduction: The epidemic of COVID-19 has affected the psychological health of people, especially frontline medical and paramedical staff. Several coping strategies have been used to combat the impact of this virus on their lives. Objective(s): Describe the impact of coronavirus on mental health and identify coping strategies Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, conducted over a period of two months ( september and october 2020), in 22 hospitals in Tunisia, including frontline medical and paramedical staff. Toevaluate anxiety and depression, we used the Beck Inventory.To identify coping strategies, we used the Brief COPE. Result(s): We collected 78 professionals. The mean age was 29.86+-5.4. The majority were medical residents (67.9%) working in covid units in 39.7% of cases. The rythm of work was daily in almost half of the cases, giving direct care to the patients tested positive in 76.9%. More than half had not received adequate training, and protective equipment was available in only 50% of cases. We found 35.9% of the staff who had to move for fear of infecting their families. More than half of the frontline staff were victims of stigma (57.7%). Depression and anxiety were tested minor in 40%. The most used coping strategy in the face of this distressing virus was social support (64.1%) followed by emotion-focused mechanisms (53,8%). Social support strategy was significantly correlated with prevention of anxiety (p=0.048) Conclusion(s): Participants practiced and recommended various coping strategies to deal with stress, depression and anxiety emerging from COVID-19 pandemic.

Anxiety among frontline healthcare professionals during the coronavirus pandemic

Introduction: Anxiety has become a topical issue since the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic, especially for frontline healthcare professionals as they deal with patients affected by the Covid-19. Objective(s): Objectify anxiety in frontline medical and paramedical staff and study its associated factors. Method(s): We conducted a national descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study via a survey over a 2-month period from September to October 2020. We used "Beck Anxiety Inventory" to screen anxiety as well as "Brief Cope Scale" to detect probable correlations between anxiety and coping mechanisms. Result(s): We collected 78 persons. The mean age was 29.86 years. 35.9% moved out of home. 39.7% worked in Covid units. 7.7% had personal psychiatric history. 76.9% provided direct care to patients with Coronavirus. The frontline staff reported that only 29.5% of patients were stables. Only 48.4% received adequate training of protection against Covid-19. 64.1% of professionals did PCR test and only 16.7% of them tested positive. We objectified an increase of 6.4% in the anxiolytics use. Stigma affected 57.7% of professionals. We highlighted a link between anxiety and social support strategy (p=0.048). 92.3%of the staff suffered from anxiety according to Beck Anxiety Inventory. Conclusion(s): Screening anxiety among frontline medical and paramedical staff might enhance their productivty and thus provide patients with the best care.