Psychological impacts on patients with COVID-19 in a Thai field hospital

ABSTRACT Objective: This study investigates the psychological impacts and their associated factors on patients with COVID-19 at a Thai field hospital. Methods: All eligible patients confirmed to have COVID-19 at Thammasat University field hospital completed an online self-reported mental health screening questionnaire which collected sociodemographic data, their clinical characteristics, and used the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21). Results: A total of 40 patients participated in the study. The depression rate was found to be 22.5%, while the anxiety rate was 30%, and the stress rate was 20%. Having a history of psychiatric disorder alone was significantly associated with a higher DASS-21 score (p = 0.001). Meanwhile, gender, age, level of education, occupation, living status, severity of COVID-19, and the number of days admitted to hospital prior to the field hospital were not found to be associated with the DASS-21 scores (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in patients with COVID-19 at the field hospital were common. Patients with a history of psychiatric disorder should undergo specific evaluation during the isolation phase.

Mental health and quality of life among Thai psychiatrists. . .

OBJECTIVE: To survey the mental health and quality of life among Thai psychiatrists. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This cross-sectional descriptive study included all Thai psychiatrists. The postal survey was mailed out to allpsychiatrists. The questionnaires consisted ofthree parts: demographic data, the WHO Quality ofLife-BREF-Thai version and the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised-Thai edition. Correlation analysis was set up at 95% confident interval and p<0.05. RESULTS: Response rate was 28%from all 650 psychiatrists. The respondents described normal state of mental health but female psychiatrists had tended more to suppress the psychological symptoms than male psychiatrists. The mental problem that might most disturb male psychiatrists under stress condition was obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Female psychiatrists tended to be disturbed when distressed by (1) anxiety, (2) somatization, (3) phobia, (4) depression, and (5) paranoia, respectively. The quality of life (QOL) of most psychiatrists was in the average level (77.5%). The older (>40 years old) psychiatrists had higher QOL than younger psychiatrists significantly (p = 0.027). QOL correlated significantly with not getting enough support from workplace (p = 0.007), colleagues (p = 0.026), lack of consultancy (p = 0.011) and lowjob satisfaction (p = 0.007). Better life quality in psychiatrists' group had better QOL in social relationships and satisfaction with the environment. CONCLUSION: Thai psychiatrists had mental health status within normal range. Male psychiatrists had obsessive-compulsive traits in stress response, but female psychiatrists had anxiety and somatization traits. Thai psychiatrists'quality of life was on the average level and most of them satisfied with their QOL.

Mental health status, including depression and quality of life among members of an elderly club in suburban Bangkok.

BACKGROUND: Evolution of medical technologies extent human life expectancy. The United Nations found Thai elderly population were increased rapidly compared with other developing countries. Global estimations of the burden of disease show that mental illness plays a prominent role. Elderly club is one of the several ways to promote social interaction, gain self esteem, slow progression of physical and mental disabilities in old age people. However, the activities which certainly proper for each elderly group remains unclear because various demographic data background of elderly in each area. OBJECTIVE: To determine the mental health status, including depression and quality of life among members of the Thammasat hospital elderly club which covers elderly members in northen Bangkok, Pathumthani and Ayutthaya province. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. Seventy members were sampled for interview from 207 members. The assessment tools were Thai Mental Health Indicator (TMHI-54), Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS), Stress self assessment questionnaire, and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief-Thai Version (WHOQOL-BREF-THAI). RESULTS: The majority of the sample was females (78.6%). The age ranged from 60 to 84 years old (mean 70.24). The prevalences of psychological problems were; poor mental health (12.90%), depression (5.7%) and stress (15.2%). The sample reported poorer quality of life on 3 sub-domains of WHOQOL; physical (2.9%), psychological (1.4%) and social relationship (4.30%) domains. The level of depression, reported by those who had not enough income, was significantly higher than those who had enough income (p = 0.022). Quality of life (physical and social relationship domain) among those aged younger than 70 years, was better than that among those aged 70 or older (p = 0.024 and p = 0.023 respectively). Quality of life (psychological domain) among those who had not enough income, was significantly poorer than those with enough income (p = 0.020). Quality of life in term of social relationship was better among those living in urban areas (p = 0.037) or having better education (p = 0.014). Regular or irregular club's activity attending was not related with mental status and quality of life. CONCLUSION: The majority of the sample had equal or better mental health status and quality of life compared with the general population. The prevalence of depression was slightly lower than other Thai studies.