ABSTRACT
Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an unprecedented series of lockdown worldwide. A nationwide full lockdown called the “Movement Control Order” (MCO) was imposed in Malaysia on 18th March 2020 following the surge in COVID-19 cases. This study aimed to investigate the anxiety, coping strategies and, quality of life (QOL) of the Malaysian community during the MCO for the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This web-based cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2020. Questionnaires on Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 (DASS-21), Brief-Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE), and World Health Organization Quality of Life – Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) were administered. Respondents were defined as having anxiety if their DASS-21 anxiety domain score was 8 and above.Results: A total of 528 responses were received with an anxiety prevalence of 29.2%. Respondents with anxiety were significantly younger (33.40 ± 9.86 versus 36.73 ±12.61 years, p = 0.001), without a partner (62.3% versus 37.7%, p = 0.006), lived in an area with higher incidence of COVID-19 – red zone (81.2% versus 18.8%, p = 0.041) and had higher avoidant coping score (median, 25 versus 20, p < 0.001). Logistic regression showed that living in the red zone (odd ratio = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.91, < 0.001) and used avoidant coping strategies (odd ratio = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.16, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of anxiety. Respondents with anxiety had significantly lower mean scores for physical health (13.8 ± 2.59 versus 16.15 ± 2.21), psychological (13.29 ± 2.95 versus 15.84 ± 2.44), social relationships (12.88 ± 3.66 versus 15.03 ± 3.08), and environment (14.63 ± 2.31 versus 16.18 ± 2.20), all p < 0.001.Conclusion: Anxiety was common during the MCO for the COVID-19 pandemic and was associated with poorer QOL. Those who lived in the area with a high incidence of COVID-19 in recent weeks and used avoidant coping strategies were more vulnerable to develop anxiety. Identification and risk stratification of individuals that prone to anxiety enables the initiation of psychological interventions to maintain mental health.