Evidence of mental health-related morbidities and its association with socio-economic status among previously hospitalized patients with symptoms of COVID-19 in Bangladesh

Exploring Varied Experiences of Three Stakeholders of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Rapid communication describes the multifaceted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on three stakeholder groups: family caregivers of COVID-19 patients, frontline health workers attending to COVID-19 patients, and hospital-discharged COVID-19 patients. This communication aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by each group and their experience during the critical period of the pandemic. Three descriptive qualitative studies were conducted between July 2020 and November 2021, using individual in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Participants were selected purposively. The findings of the three studies were collated in this rapid communication to compare the unique perspectives of the different stakeholders. Thematic analysis led to categories of Varied challenges and family realities, Accepting risks, Support, and Unexpected positive outcomes. These findings emphasise the need for context-specific dissemination of public health messages, particularly in densely populated urban areas. Policymakers are urged to consider the diverse challenges faced by different groups when formulating pandemic response strategies. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the intricacies of navigating public health crises, fostering a deeper understanding of human connections and resilience during challenging times.

The global prevalence of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder among patients coping with Post COVID-19 syndrome (long COVID): a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Post COVID-19 syndrome, also known as "Long COVID," is a complex and multifaceted condition that affects individuals who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to comprehensively assess the global prevalence of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder in individuals coping with Post COVID-19 syndrome.

METHODS

A rigorous search of electronic databases was conducted to identify original studies until 24 January 2023. The inclusion criteria comprised studies employing previously validated assessment tools for depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, reporting prevalence rates, and encompassing patients of all age groups and geographical regions for subgroup analysis Random effects model was utilized for the meta-analysis. Meta-regression analysis was done.

RESULTS

The pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients coping with Post COVID-19 syndrome was estimated to be 23% (95% CI: 20%-26%; I2 = 99.9%) based on data from 143 studies with 7,782,124 participants and 132 studies with 9,320,687 participants, respectively. The pooled prevalence of sleep disorder among these patients, derived from 27 studies with 15,362 participants, was estimated to be 45% (95% CI: 37%-53%; I2 = 98.7%). Subgroup analyses based on geographical regions and assessment scales revealed significant variations in prevalence rates. Meta-regression analysis showed significant correlations between the prevalence and total sample size of studies, the age of participants, and the percentage of male participants. Publication bias was assessed using Doi plot visualization and the Peters test, revealing a potential source of publication bias for depression (p = 0.0085) and sleep disorder (p = 0.02). However, no evidence of publication bias was found for anxiety (p = 0.11).

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate a considerable burden of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, among individuals recovering from COVID-19. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive mental health support and tailored interventions for patients experiencing persistent symptoms after COVID-19 recovery.