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Patwary MM, Bardhan M, İnan HE, Browning MHEM, Disha AS, Haque MZ, Helmy M, Ashraf S, Dzhambov AM, Shuvo FK, Alam MA, Billah SM, Kabir MP, Hossain MR, Azam MG, Rahman MM, Swed S, Sah R, Montenegro-Idrogo JJ, Bonilla-Aldana DK, Rodriguez-Morales AJ. Exposure to urban green spaces and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from two low and lower-middle-income countries. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1334425. [PMID: 38496388 PMCID: PMC10940342 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1334425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health globally, with limited access to mental health care affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) the most. In response, alternative strategies to support mental health have been necessary, with access to green spaces being a potential solution. While studies have highlighted the role of green spaces in promoting mental health during pandemic lockdowns, few studies have focused on the role of green spaces in mental health recovery after lockdowns. This study investigated changes in green space access and associations with mental health recovery in Bangladesh and Egypt across the pandemic. Methods An online survey was conducted between January and April 2021 after the first lockdown was lifted in Bangladesh (n = 556) and Egypt (n = 660). We evaluated indoor and outdoor greenery, including the number of household plants, window views, and duration of outdoor visits. The quantity of greenness was estimated using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). This index was estimated using satellite images with a resolution of 10x10m during the survey period (January-April 2021) with Sentinel-2 satellite in the Google Earth Engine platform. We calculated averages within 250m, 300m, 500m and 1000m buffers of the survey check-in locations using ArcGIS 10.3. Multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate relationships between changes in natural exposure and changes in mental health. Results The results showed that mental health improved in both countries after the lockdown period. People in both countries increased their time spent outdoors in green spaces after the lockdown period, and these increases in time outdoors were associated with improved mental health. Unexpectedly, changes in the number of indoor plants after the lockdown period were associated with contrasting mental health outcomes; more plants translated to increased anxiety and decreased depression. Refocusing lives after the pandemic on areas other than maintaining indoor plants may assist with worrying and feeling panicked. Still, indoor plants may assist with depressive symptoms for people remaining isolated. Conclusion These findings have important implications for policymakers and urban planners in LMICs, highlighting the need to increase access to natural environments in urban areas to improve mental health and well-being in public health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Mainuddin Patwary
- Environment and Sustainability Research Initiative, Khulna, Bangladesh
- Environmental Science Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Mondira Bardhan
- Environment and Sustainability Research Initiative, Khulna, Bangladesh
- Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
| | - Hüseyin Ertan İnan
- Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
- Department of Tourism Management, Faculty of Tourism, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Türkiye
| | - Matthew H. E. M. Browning
- Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
| | - Asma Safia Disha
- Environment and Sustainability Research Initiative, Khulna, Bangladesh
- Department of Environmental Science and Management, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Zahidul Haque
- Environment and Sustainability Research Initiative, Khulna, Bangladesh
- Environmental Science Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Mai Helmy
- Psychology Department, College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
- Psychology Department, Faculty of Arts, Menoufia University, Shibin el Kom, Egypt
| | - Sadia Ashraf
- Environmental Science Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Angel M. Dzhambov
- Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Research Group “Health and Quality of Life in a Green and Sustainable Environment”, SRIPD, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Environmental Health Division, Research Institute at Medical University of Plovdiv, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Institute of Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Md. Ashraful Alam
- Department of Computational Diagnostic Radiology and Preventive Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sharif Mutasim Billah
- Environment and Sustainability Research Initiative, Khulna, Bangladesh
- Environmental Science Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Pervez Kabir
- Environment and Sustainability Research Initiative, Khulna, Bangladesh
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Md. Riad Hossain
- Institute of Disaster Management, Khulna University Engineering & Technology, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Golam Azam
- Remote Sensing, Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Mijanur Rahman
- Department of Geography and Environment, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sarya Swed
- Faculty of Medicine, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria
| | - Ranjit Sah
- Green City Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Department of Microbiology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, India
| | - Juan J. Montenegro-Idrogo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Cientifica del Sur, Lima, Peru
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Service, Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Cientifica del Sur, Lima, Peru
- Grupo de Investigación Biomedicina, Faculty of Medicine, Fundación Universitaria Autónoma de las Américas-Institución Universitaria Visión de las Américas, Pereira, Colombia
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
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Park T, Pierre-Louis J, Jean T, Barua P, Ilma TT, Pinanez MA, Ravenell J, Castor C, Gousse Y. COVID-19 knowledge and mental health impact assessment in Haiti. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2024; 11:e19. [PMID: 38414724 PMCID: PMC10897491 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2024.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Mental health is a significant public health challenge globally, and one anticipated to increase following the COVID-19 pandemic. In many rural regions of developing nations, little is known about the prevalence of mental health conditions and factors that may help mitigate poor outcomes. This study assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and social support for residents of rural Haiti. Data were collected from March to May 2020. The Patient Health Questionnaire subscales for anxiety and depression, and the Perceived Stress Scale were utilized in addition to tailored questions specific to COVID-19 knowledge. Half (51.8%) of the 500 survey respondents reported COVID-19-related anxiety and worrying either daily or across a few days. Half (50.2%) also reported experiencing depression daily or across several days. Most (70.4%) did not have any social support, and 28.0% experienced some stress, with 13.4% indicating high perceived stress. Furthermore, 4.6% had suitable plumbing systems in their homes. The results were immediately actionable, informing the implementation of a mental health counseling program for youth following a loss of social support through school closures. Long-term investments must be made as part of public health responses in rural communities in developing nations, which remain under-studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taehwan Park
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Public Health, St. John's University, Queens, NY, USA
| | | | - Tachel Jean
- Biomedical Program, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Prachurjya Barua
- Biomedical Program, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Taheera T Ilma
- Biomedical Program, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Mariana A Pinanez
- Biomedical Program, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Joseph Ravenell
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chimene Castor
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Yolene Gousse
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Public Health, St. John's University, Queens, NY, USA
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Aguiar A, Bezerra A, Gaio R, Pinto M, Duarte R. Anxiety and Depression Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cluster Analysis of Individuals Living in Portugal. ACTA MEDICA PORT 2023; 36:779-791. [PMID: 37526690 DOI: 10.20344/amp.19559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic is an illustration of how a physical illness can damage people's minds. In this regard, the goal of this study was to see how different sociodemographic and behavioral factors were linked to anxiety and depression symptoms in a group of individuals living in Portugal. METHODS Between November 2020 and February 2021, a cross-sectional, snowball online study was conducted. The study's target population was adults over the age of 18, residents of the country. For the statistical analysis, the clustering technique - K-means algorithm was applied. The chi-squared test was used to determine the relationships between clusters and sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics. Statistical analyses were conducted in R language, with a significance level of 0.05. A total of 453 participants were included. RESULTS The majority were female (69.8%), under the age of 40 (60.8%), with a higher education degree (75.3%), and not married (54.4%). Furthermore, the majority were from the country's north region (66%). Cluster 1 (n = 194) was characterized by low or nonexistent levels of anxiety and depression symptoms, which means normal; cluster 2 by severe symptoms (n = 82), meaning case; and cluster 3 by mild symptoms (n = 177), which means borderline. Younger participants (p-value 0.024), female (p-value 0.041), with drinking habits (p-value 0.002), food insecurity (p-value < 0.001), food affordability exacerbation (p-value < 0.001), comorbidity (p-value < 0.001), use of anxiolytics (p-value < 0.001), insufficient household income (p-value 0.017) and income change (p-value < 0.001) were significantly associated with the anxiety-depression clusters. From the three clusters, cluster 2 was mainly represented by younger participants, with more persons stating that their household income was insufficient and that their income has changed as a result of COVID-19 and that they had the highest probability of food insecurity. CONCLUSION The impacts of a crisis on mental health extend longer than the event itself. We were able to observe that younger women with insufficient household income who suffered a change in income due to COVID-19 and were classified as food insecure presented higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. These results highlight the presence of a social gradient where we saw that people who were less advantaged in terms of socioeconomic position presented worse mental health outcomes, stressing, in this sense, the need to bring the best public health responses for these specific groups of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Aguiar
- EPIUnit. Instituto de Saúde Pública. Universidade do Porto. Porto; Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR). Porto; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal
| | - Ana Bezerra
- Faculdade de Ciências. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal
| | - Rita Gaio
- Faculdade de Ciências. Universidade do Porto. Porto; Centro de Matemática. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal
| | - Marta Pinto
- Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal
| | - Raquel Duarte
- EPIUnit. Instituto de Saúde Pública. Universidade do Porto. Porto; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar. Universidade do Porto. Porto; Serviço de Pneumologia. Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho. Vila Nova de Gaia. Portugal
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Pedersen GA, Elnasseh A, Bhattacharya B, Moran L, Neupane V, Galea JT, Contreras C, Pfeffer KA, Brown A, Sangraula M, Luitel N, Kohrt BA. Practitioners' perspectives on preparing for and delivering remote psychological support in Nepal, Perú and the United States during COVID-19. Psychol Psychother 2023; 96:849-867. [PMID: 37294035 PMCID: PMC10709530 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic has propelled a global paradigm shift in how psychological support is delivered. Remote delivery, through phone and video calls, is now commonplace around the world. However, most adoption of remote delivery methods is occurring without any formal training to ensure safe and effective care. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this applied qualitative study was to determine practitioners' experiences of rapidly adapting to deliver psychological support remotely during COVID-19. DESIGN We used a pragmatic paradigm and applied approach to gain perspectives related to the feasibility and perceived usefulness of synchronous remote psychological support, including views on how practitioners can be prepared. METHODS Key informant interviews were conducted remotely with 27 specialist and non-specialist practitioners in Nepal, Perú and the USA. Interviewees were identified through purposeful sampling. Data were analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS Respondents revealed three key themes: (i) Remote delivery of psychological support raises unique safety concerns and interference with care, (ii) Remote delivery enhances skills and expands opportunities for delivery of psychological support to new populations, and (iii) New training approaches are needed to prepare specialist and non-specialist practitioners to deliver psychological support remotely. CONCLUSIONS Remote psychological support is feasible and useful for practitioners, including non-specialists, in diverse global settings. Simulated remote role plays may be a scalable method for ensuring competency in safe and effective remotely-delivered care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria A. Pedersen
- The Center for Global Mental Health Equity, The George Washington University
| | - Abdelrhman Elnasseh
- The Center for Global Mental Health Equity, The George Washington University
| | - Bani Bhattacharya
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University
| | | | | | - Jerome T. Galea
- School of Social Work, University of South Florida
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School
| | - Carmen Contreras
- Socios En Salud Sucursal Perú
- Harvard Global Health Institute, Harvard University
| | | | - Adam Brown
- Department of Psychology, The New School for Social Research
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine
| | | | | | - Brandon A. Kohrt
- The Center for Global Mental Health Equity, The George Washington University
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Kang Y, Colson-Fearon D, Kim M, Park S, Stephens M, Kim Y, Wetzler E. Socio-economic and psychosocial determinants of violent discipline among parents in Asia Pacific countries during COVID-19: Focus on disadvantaged populations. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 139:106059. [PMID: 36805614 PMCID: PMC9933874 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobility restrictions and economic downfall as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic may increase the risk of child maltreatment, including increased risk for violent discipline use by parents. OBJECTIVE We examined the socio-economic and psychosocial determinants of violent discipline among parents against children in Asia Pacific countries. PARTICIPANTS & SETTINGS This secondary data analysis included 7765 parents with children 6-18 years old in eight Asia Pacific countries. METHODS 24 potential determinants were identified, including household demographic factors, parents' psychosocial status, and livelihood changes. The dependent variable was parental use of violent discipline (physical, severe physical, psycho-social aggression, and any violent discipline). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS A total of 41 % of households reported violent discipline. Parental demographic characteristics that were positively related to use of violent discipline were living in rural areas, not being a household head, female sex, age younger than 35 years, and large family size. Poor parental mental health status, loss of job or reduced income due to COVID-19, lack of food at household level, parent engagement in petty trade, and owning a business also predicted violent discipline. Mandatory curfew and receiving pandemic-related education materials were also positive predictors. CONCLUSION Some socio-demographic factors, economic hardship due to COVID-19, and poor mental health status of parents are associated with the use of violent discipline against children in the Asia Pacific region. These results highlight several potential target areas for child protection interventions by governmental and non-profit organizations, including economic, social, and mental health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhee Kang
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Darien Colson-Fearon
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Myungsun Kim
- Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Soim Park
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Yunseop Kim
- College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
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Pedersen GA, Pfeffer KA, Brown AD, Carswell K, Willhoite A, Schafer A, Kohrt BA. Identifying Core Competencies for Remote Delivery of Psychological Interventions: A Rapid Review. Psychiatr Serv 2023; 74:292-304. [PMID: 36475826 PMCID: PMC9988705 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.202100677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic led to a rapid shift toward remote delivery of psychological interventions and transition to voice-only and video communication platforms. However, agreement is lacking on key competencies that are aligned with equitable approaches for standardized training and supervision of remote psychological intervention delivery. A rapid review was conducted to identify and describe competencies that could inform best practices of remote services delivery during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Scopus, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO were searched for literature published in English (2015-2021) on competencies for synchronous, remote psychological interventions that can be measured through observation. RESULTS Of 135 articles identified, 12 met inclusion criteria. Studies targeted populations in high-income countries (11 in the United States and Canada, one in Saudi Arabia) and focused on specialist practitioners, professionals, or trainees in professional or prelicensure programs working with adult populations. Ten skill categories were identified: emergency and safety protocols for remote services, facilitating communication over remote platforms, remote consent procedures, technological literacy, practitioner-client identification for remote services, confidentiality during remote services, communication skills during remote services, engagement and interpersonal skills for remote services, establishing professional boundaries during remote services, and encouraging continuity of care during remote services. CONCLUSIONS These 10 skills domains can offer a foundation for refinement of discrete, individual-level competencies that can be aligned with global initiatives promoting use of observational competency assessment during training and supervision programs for psychological interventions. More research is needed on identification of and agreement on remote competencies and on their evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria A. Pedersen
- Division of Global Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University, 2120 L St NW, Suite 600,
Washington, D.C. 20037, USA
| | - Kendall A. Pfeffer
- Department of Psychology, The New School for Social
Research, 80 5 Avenue, 6 Floor, New York, NY10003,
USA
| | - Adam D. Brown
- Department of Psychology, The New School for Social
Research, 80 5 Avenue, 6 Floor, New York, NY10003,
USA
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of
Medicine, 1 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Kenneth Carswell
- World Health Organization, Department of Mental Health and
Substance Use, Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
| | - Ann Willhoite
- UNICEF Headquarters, Child Protection in Emergencies; Child
Protection, Programme Division, 3 UN Plaza New York, NY 10017, USA
| | - Alison Schafer
- World Health Organization, Department of Mental Health and
Substance Use, Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
| | - Brandon A. Kohrt
- Division of Global Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University, 2120 L St NW, Suite 600,
Washington, D.C. 20037, USA
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Burgess R, Kim AW, Cele L, Khadka S, Sigdel K, Hagaman AK. Psychosocial training and support guidelines for research staff. Bull World Health Organ 2022; 100:578-580. [PMID: 36062239 PMCID: PMC9421552 DOI: 10.2471/blt.21.287159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Burgess
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, 60 College St New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States of America (USA)
| | | | - Lindile Cele
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Seema Khadka
- Helen Keller International Nepal, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Kripa Sigdel
- Department of Psychology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Ashley K Hagaman
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, 60 College St New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States of America (USA)
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Sabbagh HJ, Abdelaziz W, Alghamdi W, Quritum M, AlKhateeb NA, Abourdan J, Qureshi N, Qureshi S, Hamoud AHN, Mahmoud N, Odeh R, Al-Khanati NM, Jaber R, Balkhoyor AL, Shabi M, Folayan MO, Alade O, Gomaa N, Alnahdi R, Mahmoud NA, El Wazziki H, Alnaas M, Samodien B, Mahmoud RA, Abu Assab N, Saad S, Alhachim SG, El Tantawi M. Anxiety among Adolescents and Young Adults during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Country Survey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191710538. [PMID: 36078253 PMCID: PMC9517795 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: Adolescents-and-young-adults (AYA) are prone to anxiety. This study assessed AYA's level of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic; and determined if anxiety levels were associated with country-income and region, socio-demographic profile and medical history of individuals. (2) Methods: A survey collected data from participants in 25 countries. Dependent-variables included general-anxiety level, and independent-variables included medical problems, COVID-19 infection, age, sex, education, and country-income-level and region. A multilevel-multinomial-logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between dependent, and independent-variables. (3) Results: Of the 6989 respondents, 2964 (42.4%) had normal-anxiety, and 2621 (37.5%), 900 (12.9%) and 504 (7.2%) had mild, moderate and severe-anxiety, respectively. Participants from the African region (AFR) had lower odds of mild, moderate and severe than normal-anxiety compared to those from the Eastern-Mediterranean-region (EMR). Also, participants from lower-middle-income-countries (LMICs) had higher odds of mild and moderate than normal-anxiety compared to those from low-income-countries (LICs). Females, older-adolescents, with medical-problems, suspected-but-not-tested-for-COVID-19, and those with friends/family-infected with COVID-19 had significantly greater odds of different anxiety-levels. (4) Conclusions: One-in-five AYA had moderate to severe-anxiety during the COVID-19-pandemic. There were differences in anxiety-levels among AYAs by region and income-level, emphasizing the need for targeted public health interventions based on nationally-identified priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba Jafar Sabbagh
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +966-505668481
| | - Wafaa Abdelaziz
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21561, Egypt
| | - Waleed Alghamdi
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maryam Quritum
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21561, Egypt
| | | | - Joud Abourdan
- Medical Faculty, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul 34230, Turkey
| | - Nafeesa Qureshi
- City Quay Dental Practice and Implant Centre, Dundee DD1 3JA, UK
| | - Shabnum Qureshi
- Department of Education, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, India
| | | | - Nada Mahmoud
- Faculty of Dentistry, National Ribat University, Khartoum 1111, Sudan
| | - Ruba Odeh
- College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman P.O. Box 346, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nuraldeen Maher Al-Khanati
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Syrian Private University, Damascus 368, Syria
| | - Rawiah Jaber
- General Courses, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | | | - Omolola Alade
- Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Noha Gomaa
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Raqiya Alnahdi
- Department of Dental Surgery, Oman Dental College, Muscat 116, Oman
| | - Nawal A. Mahmoud
- Institute of Creative Art and Design (ICAD), Kuala Lumpur Campus, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Hanane El Wazziki
- Department of Cereal Plant Pathology, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Rabat 10090, Morocco
| | - Manal Alnaas
- Division of Imaging Science and Technology, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Bahia Samodien
- Western Cape Education Department, Cape Town 8001, South Africa
| | - Rawa A. Mahmoud
- Musculoskeletal Center, International Medical Center, Jeddah 21451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nour Abu Assab
- Schools of Awqaf, Directorate of Education, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sherin Saad
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Box 431, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Maha El Tantawi
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21561, Egypt
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Lysaught MT, Reece B, Grand Ortega MA, Guizado AV, Bustamante-Pixa C. Building Caregiver Resiliency in Global Health: Embodying the Catholic Social Tradition in the Face of COVID-19. Linacre Q 2022; 89:184-205. [PMID: 35615303 PMCID: PMC8961282 DOI: 10.1177/00243639221085041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
For international healthcare NGOs, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been significant. Healthcare workers in both LMICs and high-income countries have described the impact of the pandemic as traumatic. This article focuses on one initiative designed to address this impact: CMMB’s Building Resiliency program. This article provides an overview of the structure and content of program, situating it within the landscape of global mental healthcare disparities and caregiver trauma. Designed to address caregiver mental health in Peru, Haiti, Kenya, South Sudan, and Zambia, the program sought to offset global mental healthcare disparities by bringing needed psycho-social-spiritual support to CMMB staff. It was intentionally shaped by the commitments of Catholic social thought—particularly to the well-being, dignity, and integral human development of CMMB staff members, to envisaging new forms of solidarity, and to prioritizing subsidiarity and participation. Theories of post-traumatic growth provided the theoretical framework for three remotely delivered seminar series, which made space for staff members to share their stories with their colleagues, to build community, to foster creativity and hope, and to intentionally integrate faith and spirituality into both personal self-care as well as the common life of the organization. Thus, this was designed equally to build the organizational resiliency that is the fruit of Catholic social thought. For attending to caregivers’ mental health and well-being is crucial not only for the success of medical missions but for embodying and witnessing the Catholic commitment to the human dignity and the integral development of those who do the work of our organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Therese Lysaught
- Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Healthcare Leadership, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Beth Reece
- The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, USA
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Mezzina R, Gopikumar V, Jenkins J, Saraceno B, Sashidharan SP. Social Vulnerability and Mental Health Inequalities in the "Syndemic": Call for Action. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:894370. [PMID: 35747101 PMCID: PMC9210067 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.894370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Covid-19 is referred to as a "syndemic," i.e., the consequences of the disease are exacerbated by social and economic disparity. Poor housing, unstable work conditions, caste, class, race and gender based inequities and low incomes have a profound effect on mental health and wellbeing. Such disparities are increasing between, among and within countries and are exacerbated by human rights violations, in institution and in society, stigma and discrimination. Social capital can mediate health outcomes, through trust and reciprocity, political participation, and by mental health service systems, which can be coercive or more open to demand of emancipation and freedom. Societal inequalities affect especially vulnerable groups, and Covid itself had a wider impact on the most socially vulnerable and marginalized populations, suffering for structural discrimination and violence. There are complex relations among these social processes and domains, and mental health inequalities and disparity. Participation and engagement of citizens and community organizations is now required in order to achieve a radical transformation in mental health. A Local and Global Action Plan has been launched recently, by a coalition of organizations representing people with lived experience of mental health care; who use services; family members, mental health professionals, policy makers and researchers, such as the International Mental Health Collaborating Network, the World Federation for Mental Health, the World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation, the Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks (GAMIAN), The Mental Health Resource Hub in Chennai, India, The Movement for Global Mental Health (MGMH) and others. The Action Plan addresses the need for fundamental change by focusing on social determinants and achieving equity in mental health care. Equally the need for the politics of wellbeing has to be embedded in a system that places mental health within development and social justice paradigm, enhancing core human capabilities and contrasting discriminatory practices. These targets are for people and organizations to adopt locally within their communities and services, and also to indicate possible innovative solutions to Politics. This global endeavor may represent an alternative to the global mental discourse inspired by the traditional biomedical model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Mezzina
- World Federation for Mental Health, Woodbridge, VA, United States
| | - Vandana Gopikumar
- The Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health, Chennai, India.,Madras School of Social Work, Chennai, India
| | - John Jenkins
- International Mental Health Collaborating Network, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | | | - S P Sashidharan
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Kumar M, Macharia P, Nyongesa V, Kathono J, Yator O, Mwaniga S, McKay M, Huang KY, Shidhaye R, Njuguna S, Saxena S. Human-centered design exploration with Kenyan health workers on proposed digital mental health screening and intervention training development: Thematic analysis of user preferences and needs. Digit Health 2022; 8:20552076221090035. [PMID: 35444811 PMCID: PMC9014722 DOI: 10.1177/20552076221090035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Health providers' perceived sense of knowledge, competency, and self-efficacy to support the needs of their patients contributes to optimal patient health outcomes. With regards to mental health service delivery in Kenya, this area needs further exploration. Guided by the e-health technology acceptance mode, the needs and preferences of health care providers around mental health training for clinical management and their ability to intervene in peripartum adolescent mental health care are explored. We probed how well-equipped service providers are, their engagement with technology to learn and offer services. The health care provider's technology use preferences were also explored. Method Guided by a human-centered design-focused qualitative inquiry we interviewed 20 specialists around their needs, perspectives, and preferences for digitized mental health screening and intervention. Mean age was 44.2 years, (range of 32–58 years), 25% (5) males and 75% (15) females. After a written consenting process, the online interviews (30−45 min) were conducted in April 2021, once personal information was de-identified interviews were transcribed and coded. Thematic analysis was used and we combined rapid appraisal of Google Jamboard online storyboards to do individual human-centered design personas alongside. Results Our participants were well-exposed to digital technologies. Prohibitive costs of data bundles, lack of funds for consistent online engagement, high workload, and instability of access to appropriate gadgets were found to be barriers to e-health training. Emerging opportunities were well-identified adolescent mental health service and intervention needs, willingness to take online courses offered on learning platforms, and wish for these to be disseminated through diverse social media. Other recommendations were the need to have a user-friendly interface such as data-light engaging and practical materials including animations, short, group-based learning. Conclusion Understanding contextual factors that influence perceived usefulness and ease of use of the remote/digital components would be critical for e-training development and its uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Kumar
- Brain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University, Kenya
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | | | - Obadia Yator
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Mary McKay
- Washington University at St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Keng Yen Huang
- NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, NY, USA
| | - Rahul Shidhaye
- Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni, Maharashtra, India
| | - Simon Njuguna
- Ministry of Health, Government of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
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Islam MS, Rahman ME, Zubayer AA, Bhuiyan MRAM, Khan MKA, Hossain L, Sujon MMA. Investigating Poor Sleep Quality and Associated Factors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Population-Based Survey in Bangladesh. Front Public Health 2021; 9:724520. [PMID: 34881215 PMCID: PMC8645983 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.724520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has adversely affected the sleep quality of individuals, and is a poorly investigated area. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence estimate of poor sleep quality and its associated factors among Bangladeshi residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was carried out from July 20 to August 5, 2020, involving 975 Bangladeshi residents (male: 54.2%; mean age: 26.7 ± 9.4 years; age range: 18-75 years). A self-reported questionnaire was answered by the respondents, covering information on demographic characteristics, perceived physical health status, COVID-19-related factors, COVID-19-induced anxiety assessment, and sleep quality. To assess sleep quality, the Bangla version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used. Logistic regression models were performed to analyze the factors associated with sleep quality. Results: The prevalence estimate of poor sleep quality was 55.1% among the Bangladeshi people during the COVID-19 pandemic. As per the multiple regression analysis, poor sleep quality was significantly higher among respondents who reported female gender, moderate/poor health status, indirect contact with COVID-19 infected patients, decreased household income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fear of infection, and COVID-19-induced anxiety. Conclusion: Poor sleep quality was slightly prevalent among general people in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings indicate an immediate response for this vulnerable group to improve the sleep quality during the public health emergency of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Saiful Islam
- Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Centre for Advanced Research Excellence in Public Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Estiar Rahman
- Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | | | - Liakat Hossain
- Sheikh Sayera Khatun Medical College, Gopalgonj, Bangladesh
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