COVID-19: The Level of Knowledge, Anxiety and Symptom Presentation

Examination of Pandemic Awareness, Death Anxiety, and Spiritual Well-Being in Elderly Individuals

This study aimed to examine the relationships between the variables of pandemic awareness, death anxiety, and spiritual well-being and reveal whether the participants' perceptions of pandemic awareness, death anxiety, and spiritual well-being differed according to various sociodemographic characteristics. The study population is comprised of individuals aged 65 years and over in Edirne, Turkey. The data obtained from 449 people in the study were analyzed using various statistical methods. According to the results of the regression analysis performed in the study, the increase in the participants' pandemic awareness was found to reduce their death anxiety and increase their spiritual well-being statistically. Moreover, the increase in the participants' death anxiety statistically reduced their spiritual well-being.

The effectiveness of a health education intervention to reduce anxiety in quarantined COVID-19 patients: a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic is regarded as a serious public health concern that boosts levels of stress and anxiety which could be explained by several reasons, including social isolation. In this regard, we aimed to assess the impact of health education on the anxiety level of COVID-19 patients during the isolation period.

METHODS

This is a randomized controlled trial conducted between February 2021 and June 2021. Patients tested positive for Covid-19 with mild to moderate forms were randomized to Education (n = 267) or control (n = 269). The education group received a phone health education session on day 1 (D1) following the diagnosis. The three components of the health education intervention were an explanation of the coronavirus disease, what to do in the event of complications, and the recommended preventive measures. The two groups received a telephone evaluation of their Hospital Anxiety and Depression scores on D1 and day seven D7 following the positive diagnosis. The primary outcome was the rate of anxiety reduction in each group on D7 based on a HAD-A score ≥ 8. Secondary outcomes were the rate of anxiety reduction on D7 based on a HAD-A score ≥ 11, the percentage of people complying with isolation and the scores of adherences to preventive measures during the isolation in each group.

RESULTS

Hundred and ninety-six patients in the intervention group and 206 patients in the control group completed the study. The sociodemographic, clinical, and initial anxiety level features of the intervention and control groups were comparable at baseline (p ≥ 0.05). On D7, the education group's anxiety level (HAD-A ≥ 8) decreased from 26 to 16.3% (p = 0.013) while in the control group it increased from 19.4 to 22.8% (p = 0.37). Thus, the percentage change in anxiety between D1 and D7 (delta D7 - D1) was - 9.7% in the Education group and + 3.4% in the Control group. Using the HAD-A ≥ 11 thresholds, the percentage of anxiety decreased from 15.3 to 11.2% (p = 0.26) between D1 and D7, while it increased in the control group from 9.7 to 15.7% (p = 0.045). Thus, the education group's change in anxiety (delta D7 - D1) was - 4.1%, while the control group's change was + 6%.

CONCLUSION

During an outbreak, providing health education to quarantined patients may be beneficial to reduce the psychological impact of the disease.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05715593, retrospectively registered on 8/02/2023 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=NCT05715593&Search=Search .

Knowledge, attitudes and mental health of sub-Saharan African migrants living in Tunisia during COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 pandemic potentially impacted the mental health of migrants. Our objective was to measure the prevalence of psychological distress among a group of sub-Saharan African migrants living in Tunisia, and its association with knowledge about COVID-19. The Questionnaire of Knowledge towards COVID-19 (QK-COVID-19) was used to evaluate the level of Knowledge about COVID-19. The participants were asked about their attitudes for seeking information and healthcare services related to the pandemic using a multiple-choice questionnaire. The Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL-25)) was used to screen for anxiety and depression. A logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted odds of having psychological distress across levels of QK-COVID-19 score. Among the 133 participants, 34.6% (95% CI: 26.5, 42.67) had psychological distress, 91% were unemployed and 96% uninsured. Of the respondants, 20% had low QK-COVID-19 score , and 44.36% had medium score. The adjusted odds of psychological distress for those with high and medium QK-COVID-19 scores were respectively 3.9 (95% CI: 1.08, 14.13) and 6.39 (95% CI: 1.79, 22.9) times that of those with low scores. Screening and early treatment of anxiety and depression among migrants during outbreaks is an imperative. Further investigations of the determinants of mental health of sub-Saharan African migrants are needed.

COVID-19 pandemic influence on self-reported health status and well-being in a society

To assess the frequency of persisting symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection and assessment of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on selected parameters of self-reported health status and well-being half a year after the disease. The study population consisted of 3 groups: post-COVID-19 group I-172 patients; group II-172 patients with chronic disease, who have not suffered from COVID-19; group III-81 patients from a population study cohort-Bialystok PLUS. A standardized interview questionnaire was used to collect data in the three groups using the CATI (computer assisted telephone interviewing) technique. Interviews were conducted between October 2020 and January 2021, thus during the second wave of the pandemic in Poland. The subjective state of health in comparison with the state of health before the COVID-19 pandemic deteriorated in COVID-19 convalescents. Patients, who suffered from symptomatic COVID-19 were more prone to nervousness, anxiousness, tension than patients with oligosymptomatic course of the disease. Moreover, anxiety, fear and irritability were more frequent in Group I and II in comparison to Group III, whereas Group I and II did not differ significantly. The decrease in physical activity observed in COVID-19 patients mirrored the changes in general population. The most frequent persistent symptoms after COVID-19 are: general malaise, cough, smell and taste disorder, dyspnea. COVID-19 convalescents who experienced symptomatic disease are more prone to development of nervousness, anxiousness, tension and anxiety than patients with oligosymptomatic course of the disease. Females and younger patients who suffered from COVID-19 are more prone to development of mental distress than healthy population. No significant differences between COVID-19 convalescents and healthy population was observed as far as the attitude towards physical activity is concerned.

COVID-19-Related Knowledge and Anxiety Response among Physical Education Teachers during Practical In-Person Lessons: Effects of Potential Moderators

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in heightened anxiety levels among teachers, especially regarding PE teachers who are required to engage students in practical in-person or contact teaching lessons. Previous research showed that these levels of anxiety among PE teachers appeared to be explained by the interplay between COVID-19 knowledge, workplace safety perception, and educational qualification. This study assessed the relationship between COVID-19-related knowledge and anxiety response among PE teachers during such practical lessons while moderating the effects of workplace safety perception and educational qualification within the relationship. The study conveniently recruited 160 PE teachers to solicit responses through both online and printed questionnaires. Using correlation and linear regression analyses, the study revealed a significant negative relationship between COVID-19-related knowledge and anxiety response among PE teachers. The educational qualification of PE teachers did not significantly moderate the association between COVID-19-related knowledge and anxiety response. Workplace safety perception significantly moderated the association between COVID-19-related knowledge and anxiety response among PE teachers. The findings remind educational authorities about the essence of creating a positive and safe working environment conducive to academic work. Achieving this goal requires the provision of adequate COVID-19 management logistics (e.g., personal protective equipment, hand sanitizers) by educational authorities for PE teachers to maintain safety practices and optimal learning conditions.

Perinatal Anxiety among Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way prenatal education and obstetric care are provided. Pandemic-related anxiety, restrictions, limitations in perinatal care, and the inability to be accompanied by a loved one can have negative psychological consequences for future parents and their child. The aim of this study was to analyze the determinants and assess the anxiety of pregnant women in individual trimesters, as well as to learn about the sources of support and medical personnel proceeding methods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This research was conducted as a diagnostic survey, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Childbirth Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ), and a standardized interview questionnaire, on 534 pregnant women in Poland. Resultsand Conclusions: The pregnant women, regardless of the trimester of pregnancy, are characterized by: increased anxiety level influenced by the current epidemiological situation, psychophysical condition, previous maternal experiences, participation in classes preparing for childbirth, organization of perinatal care, their relationship with a partner, and the presence of a loved one during childbirth. A negative correlation was shown between the level of childbirth anxiety and maternal experience, as well as the support of a doctor and midwife.

Self-Care practices for anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK in adults

Introduction. The National Health Service cannot chronically sustain the overwhelming demands being placed on it due to financial cuts, staff numbers and presence of Covid-19. As a result, anxiety levels are on the rise thus increasing the need for effective self-care behaviors.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to comprehend and acknowledge the profound influence Covid-19 has had on anxiety levels and explore what behaviors people engage in to manage their perceived stress levels themselves.Methodology: This study was an exploratory mixed-methods design consisting of 110 self-referred adults aged 18-65 with anxiety completed an online survey guided by the “Harvard Anxiety and Depression Scale”. Data collected from the free-text questions were analyzed using the thematic analyses method to evoke the most relevant themes and generate an evidence-based narrative.Results and Discussion: Self-care behaviors used for anxiety self-management pre and during lockdown were walks, virtual family/social peer support, cooking and aerobic exercise. Additionally, it was apparent that a lack of ongoing family/social support was a key predictor for the proclivity of anxiety-inducing thoughts to be experienced. Interestingly, individuals who continually engaged in activity experienced positive mood states irrespective of the current lockdown environment.Conclusion: This study adds to novel literature on the current anxiety levels of adults living in the UK under the Covid-19 pandemic and what self-care behaviors people implement to self-manage their anxiety levels. This study stresses the significance of ongoing peer support as a self-care behavior that can act as a positive meditator for healthy cognitive processes to ensue. Therefore, future self-care programs advocating this strategy may, if not prevent, slow down the rising cases of anxiety and ill mental health due to the uncertain environment of Covid-19