Anxiety and depression among Tunisian women victims of domestic violence

Introduction

Violence against women is now widely recognized as an important public health problem with substantial consequences on mental health, that is why health professionals should be identifying, preventing, and responding to violence against women more effectively.

Objectives

To study the prevalence and predictors of anxiety and depression among women victim of domestic violence

Methods

Our study was descriptive and analytical cross-sectional, carried out with women examined in the context of medical expertise, from May until October 2021. An anonymous survey was asked to these ladies. The HADS was used to screen for anxiety and depression

Results

75 responses was collected The age group of 26-35 years represents the highest percentage 44%. 98.7%were victim of verbal violence,94.7% of physical violence, 97.3% of psychological violence and 54.7 % of sexual violence According to the HAD, anxiety was retained in 72% and depression in 56%. Women who filed for divorce developed more depression (p=0.01). Women with a history of infertility were more anxious than others (p=0.025). Anxiety and depression were significately correlated with : the husband alcohol (p=0.01) and cannabis consumption(p=0.015). The ladies victims of sexual violence such as an unusual type of relationship developed more anxiety (p=0.045). An history of aggression during pregnancy was a risk factor of anxiety (p=0.035)

Conclusions

Our work has shown the association between violence against women and anxiety-depressive symptoms. The results of our work inspire us to reflect on and develop actions on the scourge of violence against women in a conjugal environment and its psychological repercussions.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Depression and anxiety among psychiatry residents

Introduction

Residency training has been reported as being stressful which may lead to different mental disorders.

Objectives

To study the prevalence and associated factors of anxiety and depression symptoms among psychiatry residents.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey among psychiatry residents. Participants completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire and the HADS questionnaire for screening anxiety and depression.

Results

Forty responses were collected.The average age of the sample was 28.08 ± 2.43 and the sex-ratio (F/M) was 0.875. Eleven participants were married. Eight residents were smokers. The prevalence of alcohol use and cannabis use was 22.5 % and 5% respectively. Half of participants were first year residents and near three-quarter of them (72.5%) declared working in poor conditions. A considerable proportion of participants had symptoms of anxiety and depression. The prevalence of anxiety case and depression case was 52.5% and 47.5% respectively. The prevalence of Anxiety symptoms and depression symptoms was significantly higher in female participants (p = 0.017, p=0.034 respectively). Poor conditions of the workplace were significantly associated with depression symptoms (p=0.004).

Conclusions

Training residents in psychiatry showed high rates of anxiety and depression symptoms. Screening and early management of these psychiatric manifestations is necessary. In addition, improving working conditions would upgrade their training and quality of life.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Tunisian sociodemographic profile of elderly patients hospitalized in psychiatry

Introduction

Elderly people have always presented physiological changes and suffered from many diseases. There are few studies focused on this growing particular population, especially with mental pathologies. Thus, psychiatric hospitalization of the elderly population is more frequent nowadays.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to establish the socio-demographic characteristics of elderly patients hospitalized in psychiatry.

Methods

Retrospective and descriptive study over a period of 20 years and 6 months on patients aged over 65 years old hospitalized in the psychiatry “B” department of the Hedi Chaker University hospital in Sfax, Tunisia, for a psychiatric disorder, selected according to the DSM 5 diagnosis criteria.

Results

The number of records identified was 62, out of 4019 patients (15.4%). The mean age of patients was 71.1 years old and the sex ratio (Male / Female) = 0.67. Patients were originally from Sfax in 58.1% and from rural areas in 58.1% of cases. Most of patients (78.4%) were living at least with one member of their family. They were married in 53.2% of cases. The average number of children was 5.21. The majority of patients were illiterate (61.3%) and never had a professional activity in 45.2% of cases. Social coverage concerned 96.8% of our sample.

Conclusions

Elderly patients hospitalized in our department were mainly illiterate, females and living with their family. Despite everything, family involvement in care is still necessary for this category of patients.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Clinical and psychopathological profile of Tunisian Women victims of domestic violence

Introduction

Partner violence is a serious public health problem.International studies have well-explored the psychological aspects of domestic violence, but few explored the clinical profile of women victims of violence

Objectives

To define the clinical and psychopathological profile of women victims of domestic violence

Methods

We contacted 75 women who consulted at the psychiatric emergency of ‘HediChaker hospital’Sfax -Tunisia whowhere consulting in the context of medical expertise for domestic violence, on the period between May until October 2021 An anonymous survey was asked to these ladies

Results

The age oscillates between 18 and 64 years 86.7% of the participants were married for the first time, and 24% had at least one child. In 48% of the cases, the victims and their partners had an average socio-economic level. 66.7% don’t have a job. 6.7 % had toxic habits: 5.3% were smoking 22.7% had psychiatric follow: 14.3% for depressive disorder, 7% for bipolar disorder and 1.4% for anxiety Following a physical assault by the spouse, 37.3% of women consulted medical emergency and 21.3% consulted psychiatric emergency. The prevalence of potentially traumatic life events was 29.3%:16% were victim of parental violence and 13.3% suffered from sexual abuse.

Conclusions

This study shows that the prevalenceof domestic violence is higher among young working women. This work underlines also the necessity of a systematic screening of different aspects of violence in emergency medical or psychiatric servicesin order to provide for these ladies the necessary psychological support

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Mydriasis caused by ESCITALOPRAM: Case report

Introduction

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants thanks to the overall safety and tolerability spectrum. However, they can cause different side effects that not all of them are well identified.

Objectives

We intend to clarify the clinical presentation of mydriasis caused by Escitalopram.

Methods

Reporting the case of a patient suffering a major depressive disorder, that presented a mydriasis after adjusting her antidepressant medication. Then, we conducted a literature review using “PubMed” database and keywords “Mydriasis”, “escitalopram”, “SSRI”,” side effects”.

Results

A 29-year-old female with no past clinical history, presented in May 2021 a severe depression requiring an antidepressant treatment. Under 10 mg per day of escitalopram there was a partial remission of the symptoms, leading to increase the dose by another 10 mg. One month after taking 20 mg/day, she consults before the appointment suffering from a blurry vision and photophobia. Ophthalmologic examination showed a bilateral reactive half-mydriasis, eye pressure was 14 mmHg and fundus examination was normal. Iatrogenic origin of mydriasis was suspected. A gradual interruption of the medication lead to disappearance of the latter. A pharmacological investigation concluded to the suspension of escitalopram and to be vigilant if antidepressant medication would be needed.

Conclusions

Mydriasis is an uncommon side effect caused by SSRI that needs to be kept in mind by clinicians. Therapeutic patient education can help to detect abnormal side effects and treat them if needed.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Burnout among psychiatry residents in tunisia

Introduction

Psychiatry residency training is a stressful transitional period for young doctors who are faced with challenging patients, increased clinical responsibility coupled with lack of clinical experience, and on-call obligations, leaving them at high risk of burnout.

Objectives

To assess the frequency of burnout among psychiatric trainees, and to identify factors associated with severe burnout.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey among psychiatry residents working in Tunisian hospitals. Participants completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to assess burnout.

Results

Forty residents completed the survey. The average age was 28.08 ± 2.433. The majority of the participants (87.5%) were females, 27.5% were married and 17.5% had kids. One fifth of the residents were smokers, 22.5 % used alcohol and 5% used cannabis. History of psychiatric disorder was reported by 35% of the participants (depression 15%, anxiety 17.5%, bipolar disorder 2.5%). Half of participants were first year residents and 75% had psychiatry as their first-choice specialty. The majority (72.5%) declared working in poor conditions. Overall, 37.5% of the participants met the criteria for severe burnout. Female gender and poor conditions of the workplace were significantly associated with burnout symptoms (p=0.007 and p=0.014 respectively).

Conclusions

Attention to burnout during residency is important, given the potential to implement preventive and management strategies on time for physicians’ to promote wellness and avoid severe consequences.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

[A longitudinal study about post-traumatic stress disorder after delivery in Tunisian primiparous]

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to estimate the incidence of the post-partum post-traumatic stress disorder (PP-PTSD) in primiparous women, and to determine the profile of women at risk of developing this disorder.

METHODS

We conducted a descriptive, prospective and longitudinal study carried out at the maternity department of the Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax-Tunisia over a period of 15 months. At the first stage of the study, the Saint-Antoine pain questionnaire, the peri-traumatic dissociative experiences questionnaire and the peri-traumatic distress inventory were used respectively to assess the pain of delivery, the peri-traumatic dissociation and distress. At the second stage of the study, the questionnaires, perinatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PPQ), hospital anxiety and depression scale and the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale were used respectively for the PP-PTSD screening and the assessment of the post-partum anxious and depressive symptomatology.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 183 parturients at the first stage of the study and 150 parturients at the second stage of the study. The incidence of the PP-PTSD was 9.3 %. In the multivariate study, some factors studied were significantly associated with the development of PTSD-PP, including a history of therapeutic termination of pregnancy, a history of miscarriage, exposure to a stressful event during pregnancy, prenatal hospitalization of the mother, instrumental delivery, pain intensity especially in the affective component, peri-traumatic dissociation and avoidance of sexual intercourse for fear of a new pregnancy. However the skin to skin contact with the new-born immediately after delivery was a significant protective factor.

CONCLUSION

The psychological consequences associated with the first birth, particularly the PP-PTSD, are common. The Identification of women at risk and a systematic screening of postpartum post-traumatic stress symptoms are desirable.

[Variations in immunological parameters after treatment of a manic episode]

Bipolar disorder is a chronic and disabling mental illness affecting approximately 1-2% of the general population, characterized by the occurrence of manic episodes alone or alternating with depressive episodes. Bipolar disorder is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and personal suffering. The mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of bipolar disease are still poorly understood. Recently, immunological dysfunctions have been suggested in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder, and many studies have focused on the interaction between bipolar disorder and immunity. Immunological changes have been widely studied during depressive episodes but less explored during manic episodes. The objective of our study was to explore changes in serum proteins and autoantibodies after treatment for a manic episode of bipolar I disorder. This study was carried out over a 30-month period from January 2017 to June 2019, in collaboration between the psychiatry department B of the Hédi Chaker CHU and the immunology department of the Habib Bourguiba CHU, in Sfax, Tunisia. It focused on a sample of 45 bipolar patients with manic relapse, naïve to psychotropic treatment, or discontinuing treatment for a period of at least three months and without a history of autoimmune disease. The study was conducted in two stages : on admission and after treatment. The mean plasma levels of IgG and complement C3 fraction were significantly higher in bipolar patients with relapsing mania. Studies of variation in immunoglobulins and complement fractions during relapses of bipolar disorder have all objected to variations in these serum proteins, but their results were inconsistent regarding the direction of variation and the fractions affected. After treatment, there was a statistically significant increase in the mean plasma levels of IgG and IgA and a decrease in the mean plasma level of the C4 fraction of complement. No significant variation in autoantibodies was noted after treatment. The mean plasma IgM level was significantly lower with sodium valproate. On atypical antipsychotic medication, the mean plasma level of fraction C3 was statistically lower, whereas on conventional antipsychotic medication it was statistically higher. This is in line with the data in the literature which support the immunomodulatory role of thymoregulators and antipsychotics. Serum proteins have been more sensitive than autoantibodies to the effect of psychotropic therapy during manic relapse.

Postpartum depression and perceived stress among Tunisian parturient

Introduction

The postpartum depressions (PPD), rank first postpartum complications and therefore pose a public health problem by their frequencies and their adverse consequences.

Objectives

To detect the depression among a Tunisian parturient, to evaluate their perceived stress and to study the link between these entities

Methods

A cross-sectional, analytical study of 40 first week postpartum women hospitalized in the gynecology department in Hedi Cheker hospital in Sfax-Tunisia, during the month of September 2019. We used the Arab version of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Cohen perceived stress scale (PSS).

Results

The average age of the participants was 31.07 years old. The Parturient have a rural origin in 62.5% of cases, they have a secondary school level in 52.5% of cases. There were exaggerated sympathetic signs in 52.5% of the cases. An organic pathologies were present during pregnancy in 47.5%. The postpartum period was simple in 77.5% of cases. For the post-natal period, 90% of parturient were going to receive help of a family member. EPDS: the average score was5.35 and the risk of developing a PPD was 20%. PSS we found that life represents a perpetual threat in 27% of cases. The factors correlated with the PPD were: a high level of perceived stress (p < 0.00) and organic pathology during pregnancy (p=0.02).

Conclusions

Our study shows that the risk of postpartum depression is high among Tunisian parturient and it is associated with high level of stress, because of this a precocious screening is necessary.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Anxiety and depression among tunisian health professionals facing COVID-19

Introduction

In March 2020, the World Health Organization characterized the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. This new health situation has created an anxiety-provoking climate, in particular among health professionals

Objectives

To study the prevalence and predictors of anxiety and depression among health workers

Methods

Our study was descriptive and analytical cross-sectional, carried out with healthcare on the period between May until June 2020. An anonymous online survey was sent to caregivers. The HADS questionnaire was used to screen for anxiety and depression

Results

125 responses was collected The average age of the sample was 32 years. The participants were predominantly female (72.8%), married (48%), and had at least one child (39.2%). 21.6% of the participants worked in the resuscitation anesthesia service and urgent medical aid, 14.4% in the medical services at high risk of contamination, 1.6% in the COVID-19 unit Many changes in habits were reported by the participants: 28.7% had increased their consumption of coffee/tea, especially with anxious people (p = 0.001). This increase was also noted for tobacco (30.8%) and alcohol consumption (12.5%). According to the HADS scale, anxiety was retained in 44% and depression in 47.2%. Anxiety was significantly related to sex with (p = 0.039) and affects more women than men The consumers of coffee/tea developed more anxiety (p = 0.034) and depression (p = 0.026).

Conclusions

This tragic health crisis had a major impact on the mental health of our heroes This is why we should better understand their vulnerability to psychological suffering to provide them with the necessary support

Emotion regulation in euthymic bipolar patients in Tunisia

Introduction

Bipolar disorder is presumed to involve difficulties in emotion regulation. However, little is known about the specific emotion regulation profile associated with this disorder.

Objectives

To study emotion regulation in bipolar patients in remission phase and to determine the factors correlated with it.

Methods

A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study of 30 patients followed for bipolar disorder in remission, at the psychiatric outpatient clinic at the Hédi Chaker University Hospital in Sfax. We used a socio-demographic and clinical data sheet and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) which assesses cognitive strategies (maladaptive and adaptive) for regulating emotion.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 43.77 years, the sex ratio was 0.5. Bipolar I disorder was diagnosed in 93% of patients. A good adherence to treatment was found in 86.7% of cases and a good social integration in 40%. The mean total score of the adaptive CERQ was 66.73 and the most used adaptive strategy was acceptation (mean score =13.87), while the mean total score of the maladaptive CERQ was 36.7 and the most used maladaptive strategy was self blame (mean score =9.47). Adaptive cognitive emotion regulation was predominant in 93.3% of patients. It was significantly correlated with good adherence to treatment (p = 0.047) and good social integration (p = 0.026).

Conclusions

Our patients with euthymic bipolar disorder showed a satisfying level of adaptive emotion regulation strategies. A cognitive remediation seems important to embetter this capacity and improve the income of the disease.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Severe hypoglycemia revealing a münchhausen syndrome by proxy : A case report

Introduction

Munchausen syndrome by proxy, is a very rare form of abuse, lying on the border between pediatric, psychiatric and legal fields.

Objectives

To describe a case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy in a mother after the discovery of severe hypoglycemia in her 14-month-old child, hospitalized in the CHU Hédi Chaker Sfax pediatric ward.

Methods

This is a presentation of a clinical case and review of the literature via pubmed using the following keywords : “children, abuse, maltreatment, Munchhausen syndrome”.

Results

This is a 23-year-old woman, mother of two daughters, with a psychiatric history, married to a 43-year-old men known to have diabetes on insulin for several years. The patient was admitted to our ward under constraint for aggressiveness towards her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. Indeed, one month before her hospitalization, her youngest daughter was hospitalized (accompanied by her mother) in the pediatric department at the Hédi Chaker Sfax University Hospital for severe hypoglycemia (0.3g / l). During hospitalization, the girl presented a more severe hypoglycaemia relapses (0.1g / l) and neurological complications. As the mother was indifferent to her daughter’s troubles and was neglectful of her while caring for the other hospitalized children, a mother-child separation was decided and then the blood sugar levels was stabilized. Besides, several other incidents have been happening repeatedly for the two children. In view of the total history, Münchhausen syndrome by proxy has been mentioned.

Conclusions

Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a complex form of child abuse by the mother, representing a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for both somaticians and psychiatrists.

How does coping influence impulsivity in patients with remitted bipolar disorder?

Introduction

Impulsivity is an important component of the phenomenology of bipolar disorder. Recent studies show that bipolar patients use various strategies to deal with life stressors and with the discomfort related to their disease.

Objectives

To study impulsivity and coping strategies in bipolar patients in remission phase and the factors associated with them.

Methods

A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study of 30 patients followed for bipolar disorder, in remission, at the psychiatric outpatient clinic at CHU Hédi Chaker in Sfax. We used a socio-demographic and clinical data sheet, the Ways Of Coping Checklist to assess coping and the Barratt Impulsivity Scale to assess impulsivity.

Results

The average age was 43.77 years, the sex ratio was 0.5. Smoking was found in 30%. Bipolar I disorder was diagnosed in 93% of patients. The mean age of onset was 27.8 years, and the mean duration of illness was 15 years. *Impulsivity was found in 20% of cases and was correlated with the duration of the disease (p = 0.016) and smoking (p = 0.009). *Coping focused on the problem present in 70% of patients, correlated with the duration of the disease (p = 0.032) and coping (p=0.02). *Emotion-centered coping revealed in 20% of patients, correlated with gender (p = 0.037) and cognitive impulsivity (p=0.032). *Coping focused on seeking social support was present in 10% of patients.

Conclusions

Impulsivity is quite frequent in remitted bipolar patients, who mainly used problem-focused coping and a cognitive management of the stressful event. Thus the hypothesis was that impulsivity is core trait of bipolar disorder.

Depression in elderly patients hospitalized in psychiatry

Introduction

Depression in the elderly represents a major public health problem, due to its high prevalence and its deleterious consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality, in particular by suicide.

Objectives

1-Draw up the socio-demographic and clinical profile of elderly patients hospitalized in psychiatry for a major depressive episode 2-Determine the semiological and therapeutic characteristics of depression in the elderly.

Methods

Participants were outpatients of Psychiatry B department in Hedi chaker University Hospital Center in Tunisia, over the age of 65, hospitalized in psychiatry for a major depressive episode, recruted between 2000 and 2015. The data was collected using a pre-established sheet containing socio-demographic information, the clinical and evolutionary characteristics of the depressive episode and the therapeutic data concerning the depressive episode.

Results

30 patients were included in this study with an average age (69 Y) and sex ratio (0.66). More than half (53.3%, 16 patients) had a history of chronic somatic disease. The average length of hospitalization was 26 days. The most frequent reason for hospitalization is sadness of mood (43.3%) with cognitive impairment as the predominant clinical symptomatology (40%). 93.3% of the population received as treatment an antidepressant mainly Fluoxetine (50%).

Conclusions

Depression and its different modes of expression in the elderly is a serious condition with direct effects on quality of life. Early detection is desirable in order to set up appropriate management, and thus prevent the occurrence of complications such as suicide.

Post-traumatic stress disorder among tunisian healthcare professionals facing the pandemic coronavirus (COVID-19)

Introduction

The new coronavirus has spread rapidly across the planet confining entire populations, filling hospitals overwhelmed by massive arrivals of patients This new health situation was traumatic especially for health-professionals

Objectives

To study the prevalence and predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder, among health-workers.

Methods

Our study was descriptive and analytical cross-sectional, between May until June 2020. An anonymous online-survey was sent to collect those parameters Sociodemographic-information Physical symptoms The existence of contact with a suspected case The need for quarantine The stressful event The state of mental health, using: PCL-5: 20 items which measures the 20 symptoms of post-traumatic stress-disorder according to DSM-5. PSQI: 9 questions to see the existence or not of a disturbance in sleep

Results

125 participants: 28 university-hospital doctors, 55 residents, 5 interns, 4 specialist-doctors, 2 general-practitioners, 14 nurses, 14 senior-technicians, 2 midwives and a pharmacist. The average seniority at the job was 6 years. Two factors were the most stressful: The characteristics of this pandemic 37.6% The fear of caching the virus and transmit it to their families: 37.6%. 42.4% of participants presented a post-traumatic stress disorder. 3 parameters were correlated with post-traumatic stress disorder: young age, having children (p = 0.007) and fewer years of professional-experience. This pandemic altered the quality of sleep of caregivers, 62.4% of them had a bad quality of sleep. The bad sleepers developed more post-traumatic stress disorder

Conclusions

This health crisis had a major impact on the mental health of our heroes that is why we should provide them with the necessary psychological support.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and stroke in the elderly

Introduction

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in survivors of acute life-threatening illness, but little is known about the burden of PTSD in survivors of stroke attack.

Objectives

This study estimated the prevalence of PTSD in post-stroke in the elderly and to look for the factors which are correlated with it.

Methods

Participants were outpatients of Psychiatry B department in Hedi chaker University Hospital Center in Tunisia, over the age of 65, hospitalized in psychiatry for a major depressive episode, recruted between 2000 and 2015. The data was collected using a pre-established sheet containing socio-demographic information, the clinical and evolutionary characteristics of the depressive episode and the therapeutic data concerning the depressive episode.

Results

30 patients were included in this study with an average age (69 Y) and sex ratio (0.66). More than half (53.3%, 16 patients) had a history of chronic somatic disease. The average length of hospitalization was 26 days. The most frequent reason for hospitalization is sadness of mood (43.3%) with cognitive impairment as the predominant clinical symptomatology (40%). 93.3% of the population received as treatment an antidepressant mainly Fluoxetine (50%).

Conclusions

clinicians should be mindful that PTSD can be a devastating mental health condition and should consider screening for PTSD in stroke survivors.

Pornography cyberaddiction and impulsivity among medical tunisian students

Introduction

Medical studies have always been considered as very stressful. Although these students are generally among the most academically successful students, they are not spared from developing both substance and behavioral addictions, particularly pornography cyberaddiction.

Objectives

To evaluate the pornography cyberaddiction in a group of tunisian students, to study their impulsivity and determinate the link between these two entities.

Methods

A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study including 155 medical students. We used the S-IAT sex : to evaluate pornography cyberaddiction and Barrat bis 10 : to evaluate impulsivity.

Results

The average age of students was 25.8 ±3.5 years old. The sex ratio (M/W) was 0,72. This medical students were single in 76.8%, had a high socio-economic status in 99.4% of case. They had a personal psychiatric history in 15.0%. They are smokers in 20%, consume alcohol in 30.3% and cannabis in 9% of case. The mean score of : the BIS 10 was 63.3 and the S-IAT was 15.6. The viewing of pornographic movies started around the age of 15 years old. Pornographic sites are the most frequently used tool (58.2%). The factors correlated with this addiction are: male sex (p=0.014), tobacco consumption (p=0.012), alcohol consumption (p=0.02) and impulsivity (p=0.03).

Conclusions

It resort from our study that medical students may suffer from pornography cyberaddiction. This increased use may be associated with impulsivity and substance use. Psychological support aimed specifically should be used to protect medical students.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its psychological impact on tunisian health professionals

Introduction

In March 2020,World Health Organization characterized the COVID-19 outbreak as pandemic. This new health situation has created an anxiety-provoking climate among health professionals

Objectives

To provide risks associated with the exposure of caregivers to COVID-19 for their mental health by studying the prevalence and predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

Methods

Our study was descriptive and analytical cross-sectional, carried out with healthcare in different hospitals in Tunisia, between 13 May until 20 June 2020. An online survey was sent to caregivers. mental health was assessed using 3 scales: PCL-5:measure the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder HADS :screen for anxiety and depression. PSQI:see the existence of a disturbance in sleep quality

Results

125 caregivers participated in the survey. The average age was 32 years. The participants were predominantly female (72.8%), married (48%), and had at least one child (39.2%). 28.7% of participants had increased their consumption of coffee, especially anxious people (p = 0.001). Anxiety was retained in 44% and depression in 47.2%. Anxiety was significantly related to sex with (p = 0.039) and affects more women. The consumers of coffee developed more anxiety (p = 0.034) and depression (p = 0.026). 42.4% of participants had presented post-traumatic stress disorder. Three parameters were correlated with post-traumatic stress disorder: young age, having children and fewer years of professional experience. 62.4% of caregivers had a bad quality of sleep

Conclusions

This health crisis had a major impact on the mental health of our heroes. So, we should provide for them with the necessary support.