ABSTRACT
Background: Medical students have faced an enormous disruption to their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on medical student’s psychological well-being in Pakistan. Following ethical approval, an online survey developed in collaboration with World Psychiatric Association (WPA) was distributed among medical students of 5 Medical colleges in the Punjab province of Pakistan between August and September 2020. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and Risk Assessment Suicidality Scale (RASS) were used to assess psychological well-being. Data was analyzed using SPSS 26.0. Results: Eleven hundred medical students responded, 756 (69%) being females. More than 2/3rd admitted that their emotional state got worse in relation to appearance of anxiety, insecurity, and sadness, compared to before the outbreak of COVID-19. Prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms were 48.6% and 48.1%, respectively. Female medical students, pre-clinical students, and those with a previous psychiatric history reported experiencing more anxiety and depression symptoms (P value < 0.001). One in five medical students thought that it would be better if they were dead, and 8% admitted to often think of committing suicide during the past 2 weeks. RASS and subscales (intention, life, and history) scores were higher in females and students with previous psychiatric problems. Conclusion: Our findings underscore that the impact of COVID-19 on medical students has been significant;hence, it is crucial for medical colleges to employ strategies to maintain the student’s well-being with safeguards like reassurance, support, and confidential student-centered psychiatric services. The use of virtual platforms (websites, email) to educate and screen students by staff members can create a positive impact. The limitations of this study include cross-sectional design, the possibility of selective participation being web-based survey, response bias, and the possibility of reluctance of students to report mental health problems due to stigma. © 2021, The Author(s).
ABSTRACT
Aim: To determine the frequency of depression and anxiety among COVID-19 patients and without COVID-19. Study design: Cross-sectional Place and duration of study: Department of Psychiatry Balochistan Institute of Psychiatry & Behavioural Sciences, Quetta from 1st April 2020 to 30th November 2020. Methodology: Two hundred and forty patients of both genders were presented in this study. Patients detailed demographics age, gender and body mass index were recorded after taking written consent. Patients aged between 15-60 years of age. Patients were equally divided into two groups. Group A had 120 patients of COVID 19 and group B was without COVID-19. Prevalence of depression and anxiety were measured among both groups. Results: Mean age of the patients in group A was 25.96 ±6.22 years with mean BMI 24.14±3.43 kg/m2 and in group B was 26.96±7.22 years with mean BMI 23.14±3.34 kg/m2. The frequency of anxiety in group A was 35% and in group B was observed 18.33%. Conclusion: The frequency of anxiety and depression among the COVID-19 patients was frequently high as compared to non-COVID 19.