Investigating the impact of quarantine on mental health: insights from the COVID-19 international border surveillance study in Canada.
BJPsych Open
; 7(5): e143, 2021 Sep.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1344138
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Nations throughout the world are imposing mandatory quarantine on those entering the country. Although such measures may be effective in reducing the importation of COVID-19, the mental health implications remain unclear.AIMS:
This study sought to assess mental well-being and factors associated with changes in mental health in individuals subject to mandatory quarantine following travel.METHOD:
Travellers arriving at a large, urban international airport completed online questionnaires on arrival and days 7 and 14 of mandated quarantine. Questionnaire items, such as travel history, mental health, attitudes toward COVID-19, and protection behaviours, were drawn from the World Health Organization Survey Tool for COVID-19.RESULTS:
There was a clinically significant decline in mental health over the course of quarantine among the 10 965 eligible participants. Poor mental health was reported by 5.1% of participants on arrival and 26% on day 7 of quarantine. Factors associated with a greater decline in mental health were younger age, female gender, negative views toward quarantine measures and engaging in fewer COVID-19 prevention behaviours. For instance, travellers who stated that they rarely wore masks had nearly three times higher odds of developing poor mental health.CONCLUSIONS:
Although the widespread use of quarantine may be effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19, the mental health implications are profound and have largely been ignored in policy decisions. Psychiatry has a role to play in contributing to the public policy debate to ensure that all aspects of health and well-being are reflected in decisions to isolate people from others.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
BJPsych Open
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Bjo.2021.977
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