Psychological impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on health professions students at the University of Zambia: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has negatively impacted the mental health of students across the globe. In Zambia, little is known about the psychological impacts of COVID-19 on healthcare students. This study assessed the psychological impact of COVID-19 on health professions students at the University of Zambia. Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2021 to October 2021. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with anxiety and depression among the participants. Data were analysed using Stata 16.1. Results: of the 452 students, 57.5% were female, with the majority aged between 19 and 24 years. Overall, 65% (95% CI: 60.5-69.4) experienced anxiety, while 86% (95% CI: 82.7-89.3) experienced depression. Participants whose income was affected were more likely to experience anxiety (aOR; 2.09, 95% CI: 1.29-3.37) and depression (aOR; 2.87, 95% CI: 1.53-5.38). Anxiety was associated with difficulty in observing the COVID-19 preventive measures (aOR; 1.84, 95% CI: 1.21-2.81). Being depressed was associated with having a chronic condition (aOR; 3.98, 95% CI: 1.67-9.50) or a relative or friend who died from COVID-19 (aOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.06-3.70). Conclusion: many students experienced anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 third wave of infections. This calls for mitigation measures because continued anxiety and depression can affect the academic performance of students. Fortunately, most of the associated factors are modifiable and can easily be targeted when formulating interventions to reduce anxiety and depression among students.

Assessment of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and wellbeing of pharmacists: A nationwide survey.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and work on the mental health and wellbeing of pharmacists in Nigeria and investigate the risk of exhaustion, disengagement, burnout, and their associated factors. METHODS: This was an online cross-sectional study among pharmacists that involved the use of mental health and wellbeing questionnaire including a 16-item OLBI questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed to determine the study distribution. Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables, while independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to compare the mean values of two and three groups, respectively. Tukey posthoc test was used to compare various practice settings based on significant factors, while a two-sided Dunnett t-test was used to compare between groups for other significant factors. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 612 pharmacists invited to participate in the survey, 426 completed and submitted the questionnaire giving a response rate of 69.6%. The Cronbach's alpha for wellness and mental health survey instrument in our study population is 0.74, while the average Cronbach's alpha for a 16-item OLBI questionnaire is 0.62 in our study population. The high risk of exhaustion and disengagement were met by 75.6% and 77.2% of the respondents, respectively. Eighty-three respondents (19.5%) met thresholds for either high risk of exhaustion or disengagement, while 66.2% had both a high risk of exhaustion and disengagement (burnout). Significant proportions of respondents with undergraduate pharmacy degree as the highest qualification obtained (70.6%, p < 0.001), in the hospital practice setting (62.8%, p < 0.001), and in full-time employment type (68.1%, p = 0.004) had the higher risk of burnout compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic and work significantly impacted the mental health and wellbeing of a considerable proportion of the respondents. Burnout affects the majority of pharmacists in Nigeria and is linked to undergraduate pharmacy degrees as the highest qualification obtained, hospital practice settings, and full-time employment. Thus, mitigating strategies from employees, government, and organizations are recommended to help improve working conditions and promote the well-being of pharmacists in Nigeria.

COVID-19 pandemic: The role of community pharmacists in chronic kidney disease management supportive care.

The COVID-19 pandemic is putting enormous pressure on healthcare systems worldwide and various countries are struggling to flatten the curve to prevent their healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed. Studies have shown that people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of COVID-19 infection and mortality. However, the interruption of routine care and support due to the current challenges with healthcare providers, facilities, and essential medicines due to this pandemic is adversely affecting people with CKD. This is because poor management of this disease leads to negative health outcomes. In order to maintain good health, this vulnerable group of patients rely heavily on the extended role of the community pharmacists in chronic disease management. This paper highlights the extended role of the community pharmacists in CKD management supportive care during the COVID-19 pandemic.