ABSTRACT
BACKGROUNDCOVID-19 has rapidly crossed borders, infecting people throughout the world. Women may be especially vulnerable to depression and anxiety due to the pandemic, AIMSThis study attempted to assess how gender impacts risk perceptions, anxiety levels behavioral responses to the COVID 19 pandemic in Pakistan in order to recommend gender responsive health policies METHODSA cross-sectional online survey was conducted. Participants were asked to complete a sociodemographic data form, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and questions on their risk perceptions, preventive behavior and information exposure. Regression analysis was used to assess effects of factors such as age, gender and household income on anxiety levels. RESULTSOf the 1390 respondents, 478 were women, and 913 were men. Women considered their chances of survival to be relatively lower than men (59 % women vs 73% men). They were also more anxious (62% women vs 50% men), and more likely to adopt precautionary behavior, such as avoiding going to the hospital (78% women vs. 71% men), not going to work (72% women and 57% men), and using disinfectants (93% women and 86% men). Men were more likely to trust friends, family and social media as reliable sources of COVID-19 information, while women were more likely to trust doctors. CONCLUSIONWomen experience a disproportion burden of the psychological and social impact of the pandemic compared to men. Involving doctors in healthcare communication targeting women, might prove effective. Social media and radio programs may be effective in disseminating information related to COVID among men.
ABSTRACT
BackgroundHealthcare workers (HCWs) find themselves susceptible to contracting COVID-19 or being the source of exposure for their family members. This puts them at a high risk of psychological distress which may compromise patient care. In this study we aim to explore the risk perceptions and psychological distress between HCWs and non-healthcare workers (NHCWs) in Pakistan. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Pakistan using an online self-administered questionnaire. Respondents were categorized into HCWs (completed or aspiring to complete education in Medicine or allied fields) and NHCWs. HCWs were further categorized into front-line (direct patient care) and back-end HCWs. ResultsData from 1406 respondents (507 HCWs and 899 NHCWs) was analyzed. No significant difference was observed between HCWs and NHCWs perception of susceptibility and severity towards COVID-19. Healthcare graduates perceived themselves (66% students vs. 80% graduates, p-value 0.011) and their family (67% students vs. 82% graduates, p-value 0.008) to be more susceptible to COVID-19 than the healthcare students. Frontline HCWs perceived themselves (83% frontline vs. 70% back-end, p-value 0.003) and their family (84% frontline vs. 72% back-end, p-value 0.006) as being more susceptible to COVID-19 than back-end healthcare professionals. Over half of the respondents were anxious (54% HCWs and 55% NHCWs). Female gender, younger age and having COVID-19 related symptoms had a significant effect on the anxiety levels of both HCWs and NHCWs. ConclusionFrontline HCWs, healthcare students, young people, females and individuals with lower income were at a higher risk of psychological distress due to the pandemic. Government policies should thus be directed at ensuring the mental well-being of frontline HCWs, and improving their satisfaction in order to strengthen health care delivery system.
