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Zobi M, Abrokwa SK, Dordoye E, Phuti A. A mixed method study on the impact of COVID-19 on mental healthcare in Ghana: rethinking mental health service delivery. Int J Equity Health 2024; 23:56. [PMID: 38486258 PMCID: PMC10941419 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-024-02138-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since its emergence, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused severe health, social and economic challenges. Mental healthcare has been significantly affected globally, and even worse in developing countries. An emerging economy like Ghana in West Africa was not spared its disruptive effects. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic (caused by SARS-CoV-2), on Ghana's mental healthcare system. METHODS This is a mixed-method study using an emergent sequential exploratory design. A total of 15 front-line healthcare professionals were recruited from the three psychiatric hospitals, including the mental health department of a new teaching hospital in Ghana. Purposive sampling techniques and a semi-structured interview approach were used for recruitment and data collection. Quantitative data from hospital registries were collected and analysed to triangulate qualitative findings. RESULTS Fifteen mental health workers were enrolled in the study. The mean age of participants was (34.47 ± 4.07) years, average work experience of (6.23 ± 3.64) years and the majority as males (60%). This study found an average decline of 23% in hospital attendance and a 35% decline in admissions in all four facilities compared to the previous year, 2019. The lived experiences shared by mental healthcare providers were grouped under 3 main themes: Adjustments to workplace regulations, accessibility to mental healthcare, and psychological wellbeing of mental healthcare workers. The fear of contracting SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare workers, medication shortages, and logistical challenges were also reported to affect Mental Health services during the pandemic. CONCLUSION This study highlights the challenges in mental healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. The experiences encountered present an opportunity to gain insights into future pandemic preparedness and establish a framework for optimal mental healthcare delivery in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Zobi
- Institute of International Health, Global Health Centre, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Seth Kofi Abrokwa
- Institute of International Health, Global Health Centre, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eugene Dordoye
- Psychological Medicine & Mental Health Department, School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe, Ghana
| | - Angel Phuti
- Institute of International Health, Global Health Centre, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
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Aksoy Poyraz C, Uçar Bostan B, Ersungur Çelik EB, Kara Esen B. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on emergency psychiatry department admissions. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e36878. [PMID: 38241534 PMCID: PMC10798784 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and lockdown period measures on patients' visits to the psychiatric emergency department (PED) of a University Hospital in İstanbul. We compared the number and characteristics of patients during the initial lockdown with visits in the pre- and post-lockdown months. We also investigated the number of monthly PED visits and hospitalizations between March 11, 2020 and 2021 and compared it to the same period in 2019 and between March 2021 and 2022. PED visits in the initial lockdown period in our university increased by 109% compared to the prelockdown months in the previous year. Anxiety and depressive disorders were responsible for most of this increase. The decline in PED visits was 3.1% and 42% during the first and second year of the pandemic, respectively; however, among the major diagnostic categories, we found that the rates of anxiety, depressive disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder increased significantly in the first year, while psychotic disorders declined and bipolar disorders remained the same. In the second year, there was a trend toward prepandemic year ratios. These findings show that the pandemic affects PED admissions in different ways at different periods. These data may also help shaping the public policies necessary to meet the evolving needs in the field of mental health of society at different public crises in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cana Aksoy Poyraz
- Department of Psychiatry, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Cerrahpaşa Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Büşra Uçar Bostan
- Department of Psychiatry, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Cerrahpaşa Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Elif Burcu Ersungur Çelik
- Department of Psychiatry, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Cerrahpaşa Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Beril Kara Esen
- Department of Public Health, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Cerrahpaşa Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
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Martinho F, Cabral AS. Shifts in Mental Health Needs in Portugal during the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Do Mental Health Warrants Tell Us? ACTA MEDICA PORT 2023; 36:771-772. [PMID: 38048687 DOI: 10.20344/amp.20602] [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: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Sofia Cabral
- Centro de Responsabilidade Integrada de Psiquiatria. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal
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Ricoca Peixoto V, Ourique M, Pinto Rebelo B, Cristovão F, Costa R, Aguiar P, Rodrigues N, Martins Correia D. Requests, Issuing, and Hospital Admissions Regarding Mental Health Warrants Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Region in Portugal. ACTA MEDICA PORT 2023; 36:811-818. [PMID: 38048689 DOI: 10.20344/amp.19761] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mental health warrants exist in most countries and are issued when patients have severe mental illness, refuse treatment, and present a serious risk to themselves or others. We describe the epidemiology of mental health warrant requests received, and warrants issued by a Public Health Unit in a Portuguese region, as well as subsequent hospital admissions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We used routine administrative data of mental health warrant request entries from a Public Health Unit serving a population of 219 739 individuals and compared the average of monthly requests, issued warrants, and hospital admissions during two separate periods (January 2013 to January 2021 and February 2021 to October 2022) as well as the proportion of warrants issued, hospital admissions among requests, and other patient characteristics. We identified factors associated with hospital admissions among the requests using logistic regression. RESULTS Monthly average warrant requests, issued warrants and hospital admissions increased after February 2021 (x̄ 2.87 vs 7.09 p < 0.001; x̄ 2.67 vs 6.42 p < 0.001; x̄ 1.55 vs 3.58 p < 0.001). We found no differences by period in the proportion of requests with issued warrants (92.8% vs 90.6% p = 0.42) nor the proportion of requests with subsequent hospital admissions (54.0% vs 49.0% p = 0.33). In the second period, there were differences in the proportion of patients with a previously diagnosed mental health disorder (95.3% vs 90.4% p = 0.049). There were significant differences in the distribution of the origin of requests. Being unemployed (OR:2.5 CI:1.2 - 5.2), not having completed high school (OR:2.01 CI:1.12 - 3.77) and having university education (OR:3.67 CI:1.27 - 10.57) degree were associated with hospital admission. CONCLUSION Severe mental illness with criteria for mental health warrants may require more resources and different approaches due to a possible increase during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Community based mental healthcare, incentivized follow-up by primary care and ambulatory treatment may be considered. Further research should evaluate both the national and international trends and associated factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasco Ricoca Peixoto
- Moinhos Public Health Unit. Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde Oeste Sul - Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. Lisboa; NOVA National School of Public Health. Public Health Research Centre. Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC). NOVA University Lisbon. Lisboa. Portugal
| | - Matilde Ourique
- Moinhos Public Health Unit. Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde Oeste Sul - Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. Lisboa. Portugal
| | - Bruno Pinto Rebelo
- Moinhos Public Health Unit. Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde Oeste Sul - Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. Lisboa. Portugal
| | - Filipa Cristovão
- Moinhos Public Health Unit. Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde Oeste Sul - Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. Lisboa. Portugal
| | - Rafael Costa
- Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa. Lisboa. Portugal
| | - Pedro Aguiar
- NOVA National School of Public Health. Public Health Research Centre. Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC). NOVA University Lisbon. Lisboa; Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa. Lisboa. Portugal
| | - Nuno Rodrigues
- Moinhos Public Health Unit. Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde Oeste Sul - Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. Lisboa. Portugal
| | - Diana Martins Correia
- Moinhos Public Health Unit. Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde Oeste Sul - Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. Lisboa. Portugal
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Kelbrick M, da Silva K, Griffiths C, Ansari S, Paduret G, Tanner J, Mann N, Johnson S. The impact of COVID-19 on acute psychiatric admissions for first and repeated episode psychosis. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:2042-2047. [PMID: 37548342 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231188031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited evidence of the longer-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute admissions for psychosis in the UK. AIMS We examined the impact of COVID-19 on rates of admissions for first and repeated episode psychosis, and changes in patient profile and seasonal patterns, over a period of 12 months. METHOD We conducted a retrospective case note review of all patients admitted with a primary psychosis (F20-29 ICD 10 diagnosis) to an NHS psychiatric inpatient unit. We compared the 12 months pre-COVID-19 period between 1 March 2019 and 28 February 2020, and the 12 months post-COVID-19 period between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2021. RESULTS The results showed increase rates of admissions post-COVID-19 in both first and repeated episode psychosis, the patient profile had more females and older age in the repeated episode group, with increased employment rates. Combined group data for both pre- and post-COVID-19 periods showed an increased trend in spring and summer admissions, and even though not statistically significant, more pronounced post-COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute psychosis admissions over a 12-month period. The results provide evidence for the 'stress-pathogenesis' in the context of genetic vulnerability in psychosis. Preventative strategies in the context of the 'stress-pathogenesis model', improved access to and responsiveness within NHS transformation efforts needs to be adjusted to fit local need and environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chris Griffiths
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Kettering, UK
| | - Saba Ansari
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Kettering, UK
| | | | - James Tanner
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Kettering, UK
| | - Nick Mann
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Kettering, UK
| | - Sara Johnson
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Kettering, UK
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Multiple countries have reported increased COVID-19 mortality in patients with schizophrenia. The purpose of this review was to synthetize the consequences of the pandemic on patients with schizophrenia including vaccination data. RECENT FINDINGS We have synthetized data on the increased risk of infection and increased mortality, the impact of the pandemic and lockdowns on psychiatric care, vaccination policies, unwillingness to vaccine in patients and the rates of vaccination. SUMMARY Schizophrenia has been confirmed at increased risk of both COVID-19 infection and developing a severe/lethal form of the infection. Patients with schizophrenia should, therefore, be prioritized for vaccination whenever possible and should be prioritized for psychiatric and somatic care access. Psychotic symptomatology may be a barrier to vaccination in some patients, and heterogenous vaccination rates were identified in national databases. The COVID-19 pandemic has been also a unique opportunity to develop telehealth. A mixed face-to-face and distance model should be encouraged, whenever possible, to improve the experience of patients, relatives and healthcare professionals. No major change of long-acting antipsychotics has been reported in most countries, and there was no consistent evidence for clozapine prescription to increase the risk of COVID-19 infection or severe outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Fond
- Aix-Marseille University, CEReSS-Health Service Research and Quality of Life Center, Marseille
- FondaMental Academic Advanced Center of Expertise for Depressive disorders and Schizophrenia (FACE-DR, FACE-SZ), Marseille, France
| | - Laurent Boyer
- Aix-Marseille University, CEReSS-Health Service Research and Quality of Life Center, Marseille
- FondaMental Academic Advanced Center of Expertise for Depressive disorders and Schizophrenia (FACE-DR, FACE-SZ), Marseille, France
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Băcilă C, Ștef L, Bucuță M, Anghel CE, Neamțu B, Boicean A, Mohor C, Ștețiu AA, Roman M. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Management of Mental Health Services for Hospitalized Patients in Sibiu County-Central Region, Romania. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11091291. [PMID: 37174833 PMCID: PMC10178149 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11091291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic brought a burden and represented a challenge for the Romanian medical system. This study explored the consequences that COVID epidemiological measures had on the quality of the mental health care provided to hospitalized patients in a regional psychiatric hospital in Romania. MATERIALS AND METHODS Both patient-level and hospital-level indicators were considered for this comparative retrospective study. On the one hand, we extracted patient-level indicators, such as sociodemographics, diagnosis, admission, and discharge dates for 7026 hospitalized patients (3701 women, average age = 55.14) from hospital records. On the other hand, for the hospital-level indicators, we included indicators referring to the aggregated concept of mental health services, such as case mix index, length of stay, bed occupancy rate and patients' degree of satisfaction. Data extracted covered a period of two years (1 March 2019-28 February 2021) before and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS We found that, compared to the pre-pandemic period, the pandemic period was marked by a drastic decrease in hospitalized patient admissions, coupled with an increase in emergency-based admissions. Other management indicators, such as the case mix index, the number of cases contracted/performed, and the degree of patient satisfaction, decreased. In contrast, the average length of stay and bed occupancy rate increased. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the first year, raised multiple difficult issues for the management of psychiatric hospitals. It imposed an application of strict measures designed to face these new and unprecedented challenges. Our findings offer a detailed snapshot of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of its impact on mental health services and suggest some future directions. Implications for hospital management are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciprian Băcilă
- Dental and Nursing Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine, "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
- Collective of Scientific Research in Neurosciences of the Clinical Psychiatry Hospital "Dr. Gheorghe Preda", 550082 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Laura Ștef
- Dental and Nursing Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine, "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Mihaela Bucuță
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu, 550024 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Claudia Elena Anghel
- Dental and Nursing Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine, "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
- Collective of Scientific Research in Neurosciences of the Clinical Psychiatry Hospital "Dr. Gheorghe Preda", 550082 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Bogdan Neamțu
- Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine, The "Lucian Blaga" University Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
- Research and Telemedicine Center in Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Clinical Hospital Sibiu, 550166 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Adrian Boicean
- Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine, The "Lucian Blaga" University Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Cosmin Mohor
- Preclinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, The "Lucian Blaga" University Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Andreea Angela Ștețiu
- Dental and Nursing Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine, "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Mihai Roman
- Clinical Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The "Lucian Blaga" University Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
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Budzyńska N, Moryś J. Anxiety and Depression Levels and Coping Strategies among Polish Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3319. [PMID: 36834013 PMCID: PMC9959847 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical staff were commonly exposed to stress, work under pressure, and long shifts, and may have experienced a fear of infecting loved ones or a fear for their own health. All of these factors may have increased the likelihood that healthcare workers will experience the symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders. In this cross-sectional study, a group of respondents was gathered from the employees of 78 hospitals in Poland. A questionnaire was completed electronically by 282 people, aged between 20 and 78 years. The study used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the MiniCOPE questionnaire to examine anxiety and depression symptoms, and coping strategies, respectively. With age, the respondents declared fewer symptoms of anxiety and tended to have milder symptoms of depression. Participants with chronic illnesses, mood disorders, or anxiety disorders also reported higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. More than 20% of healthcare workers felt the need to consult with a psychologist. In the entire group of healthcare professionals surveyed, the most commonly used strategies for coping with stress were "denial", "psychoactive drug and alcohol use", and "cessation of activities", while the least used strategy was "acceptance". Given the most commonly used strategies in the surveyed group of healthcare professionals, they may be predictors for a deterioration in mental state in the long run. The obtained results also suggest that it is likely that pre-existing health problems had a greater impact on the mental health of medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic than the profession itself. Therefore, taking care of the well-being and mental health of healthcare workers should be a priority for employers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Budzyńska
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
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