[Anxiety, depression and stress-related disorders in post Covid-19: A Tunisian study]. / Anxiété, dépression et troubles liés au stress en post Covid-19: étude tunisienne.

OBJECTIVES: - Our study aimed to assess anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder in post coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and identify associated factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: - Our study is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study carried out during the period from March 1 to May 15th 2021 on patients who were hospitalized and discharged from the Covid-19 unit in the pneumology department at the Hedi Chaker hospital in Sfax (Tunisia). Patients who met all of the following criteria were included: aged 18 and over; having a diagnosis of Covid-19 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or by CT scan; monitored at the Covid-19 unit and who their clinical conditions did not require intensive care; survivors after 3 months of leaving the service; and having given their informed and informal consent to participate in the study. RESULTS: - Our study included 154 patients. The prevalence of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder was 24.7%, 11% and 13.6% respectively. We found an association between depression and female gender (p= 0.025), gastrointestinal involvement (p= 0.002) and stigma (p= 0.002). We found an association between anxiety and grade level (p= 0.034), and between anxiety and asthenia (p= 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: - Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder were independent of the majority of disease characteristics including the severity of Covid-19.

Psychological responses of Tunisian general population during COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: this is the first study assessing the psychological impact on Tunisian general population during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety, depressive symptoms and insomnia, as well as associated factors. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey of 1615 people during March 23rd to May 5th, 2020. We used the hospital anxiety and depression scale for anxiety and depression screening, and the insomnia severity index to assess sleep disturbances. RESULTS: our study revealed a high prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, and insomnia (70.9%, 71.1% and 60.6% respectively). Multivariable statistics showed that anxiety symptoms were correlated to female gender (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.784, 95% confidence interval (CI 1.252-2.542; p=10-3), history of mental illness (aOR: 1.680, 95% CI: 1.329-2.125; p<10-3), frequently social media exposure (aOR: 1.578, 95%CI: 1.250-1.992; p<10-3), times to focus on COVID-19 ≥ 3hours (aOR: 1.840, 95% CI: 1.433-2.362; p<10-3), consultation with doctor in the clinic in the past 14 days (aOR: 1.821, 95%CI : 1.220-2.718; p=0.003) and recent traumatic event in the past 14 days (aOR: 1.641,95% CI: 1.331-2.024; p<10-3). Principal factors associated with depressive symptoms included female gender (aOR: 1.637, 95% CI: 1.150-2.331; p=0.006), history of mental illness (aOR: 1.498, 95% CI: 1.189-1.888; p=10-3), times to focus on COVID-19 ≥ 3hours (aOR: 1.956, 95% CI: 1.555-2.461; p<10-3), and recent traumatic event in the past 14 days (aOR: 1.558, 95% CI: 1.265-1.919; p<10-3). The main factors correlated to insomnia were younger (age <35years) (aOR: 1.592, 95% CI: 1.17 -2.152; p=0.003), female gender (aOR: 1.864, 95% CI: 1.252-2.775; p=0.002), having organic diseases (aOR: 1.527, 95% CI: 1.131-2.061; p=0.006), history of mental illness (aOR: 1.777, 95% CI: 1.396-2.263; p<10-3), students (aOR: 1.931, 95% CI: 1.495-2.495; p<10-3), times to focus on COVID-19 ≥3hours (aOR: 1.877, 95% CI: 1.467-2.400; p<10-3) and recent traumatic event (aOR: 1.431, 95% CI: 1.144-1.789; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: our study revealed a major mental health burden in Tunisia during COVID-19 pandemic. Many factors were correlated to anxiety, depressive symptoms and insomnia, suggesting the need for greater psychological support in general and in certain vulnerable groups.

[Premature birth: a risk factor for maternal depression?] / L'accouchement prématuré : un facteur de risque de dépression maternelle ?

Premature birth constitutes a major ordeal not only for the child but also the mother. It reveals the psychological capacities of mothers with depressive affects as signs. Hedi Chaker university hospital in Sfax in Tunisia carried out a study on mothers of premature babies. These mothers were significantly more depressed. Certain factors appear to favour the occurrence of postnatal maternal depression and must therefore benefit from specific support.

[Psychological distress in medical and paramedical personnel in anesthesia and intensive care]. / La détresse psychologique du personnel médical et paramédical d'anesthésie-réanimation.

Anesthesia and intensive care medicine is considered one of the specialties involving more professional stress (PS). On this basis, our study aimed to assess the level of anxiety and PS in the personnel in anesthesia and intensive care and to identify the associated factors. We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study including 54 participants (38 technicians and 16 residents) working in the Departments of Anesthesia and Intensive Care at Habib Bourguiba and Hedi Chaker University Hospitals, Sfax, Tunisia. PS assessment was performed using the Karasek questionnaire. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) was used to measure the severity of anxiety symptoms. According to the Karasek questionnaire, the average decision latitude score was 69, the average psychological demand score was 23.9 and the average social support score was 19.6. According to this questionnaire, 40.7% of personnel was stressed and 38.9% was in isostrain condition. Average HARS score was 17.8, average psychic anxiety score was 8.7 and average somatic anxiety score was 9, with a significant difference between the medical and paramedical personnel. Severe to very severe anxiety was recorded in 25.9% of cases. HARS score was correlated to female gender (p=0.017) and to psychiatric histories (p=0.003). This study highlights that medical and paramedical personnel in anesthesia and intensive care is exposed to a significant risk of PS. Changes in working environment as well as learning professional stress management techniques should be proposed.