Study to Assess the Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health in the General Population

ABSTRACT

Background: Mental health problems significantly increased worldwide during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. At the early stage of the outbreak, the government of Madhya Pradesh imposed lockdown and quarantine approaches to prevent the spread of the virus, which impacted people's daily life and health. The COVID-19 pandemic has also affected people's economic status, healthcare facilities and other lifestyle factors in Madhya Pradesh. Aim(s) The aim of the study to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among the population of Madhya Pradesh. Methods and Materials An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 500 individuals of central India, aged between 15 and 65 years from the duration of 15 April to 10 May 2020. After obtaining electronic consent, thesurvey was conducted assessing individual's sociodemographic profiles and psychometric measures. Result(s) The prevalence of loneliness, depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance was estimated at 71% (mild 32%, moderate 29%, severe 10%), 38% (mild 24%, moderate 11%, severe 3%), 64% (mild 30%, moderate 17%, severe 17%) and 73% (mild 50%, moderate 18%, severe 5%), respectively. Conclusion(s) A large portion of respondents reported mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in Madhya Pradesh. The present study suggests longitudinal assessments of mental health among Madhya Pradesh people to determine the gravity of the problem during and after the pandemic. Appropriate supportive programmes and interventional approaches would address mental health problems in Madhya Pradesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. Copyright © 2022, Dr Yashwant Research Labs Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved.