RESUMEN
Background: During the 21st century, pandemics have emerged frequently and become more challenging. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is among the most prominent examples. A considerable public health issue following the pandemic is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). COVID-19-recovered patients are highly susceptible to developing PTSD. Earlier epidemic studies showed a high prevalence of trauma-exposed people as a result of infectious diseases. This research aimed to quantify the estimated prevalence of PTSD and its contributing variables among COVID-19-recovered patients in Bangladesh. Methods: This was a cross-sectional research carried out through an e-survey comprising 326 individuals (69.0% male; mean age = 37.97 ± 13.02 years; age range = 18-76 years) and conducted between September 2020 to January 2021. The online survey included a section for gathering participant's informed permission as well as sections on key demographics and way of life, and social supports during the suffering period from acute COVID-19, as well as a PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) to examine PSTD. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses were performed. Results: The prevalence estimates of PTSD ranged between 36 and 41% based on three predefined cut-offs. As per multiple linear regression analysis, PTSD was much more common among those who took part and reported being middle-aged/older adults (≥40 years), having lower S.E.S., and who slept more (>9 h/day). In addition, PTSD was negatively associated (p <0.05) with the social support of family members/friends/relatives, and colleagues in working settings; while positively correlated with health care providers. Conclusion: The current investigation revealed a considerably higher level of PTSD among COVID-19-recovered patients. The findings suggest extending the mental health services, other covariates, and immediate intervention among national and international COVID-19 recovered patients.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disproportionately impacts individuals with medical conditions, including with respect to their mental health. The present study investigated depression and anxiety and their correlates among individuals with medical conditions in Bangladesh. METHODS: Subjects were recruited to participate in an internet-based survey. Data were collected from November 2020 to January 2021 using convenience sampling by a semi-structured questionnaire through online platforms. Multiple regression analyses were performed to determine associations applying Bonferroni correction (p < 0.004). The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) measured depression and anxiety, respectively. RESULTS: Nine-hundred-and-seventy-one participants (50.1% male; mean age = 42.29 ± 15.86 years; age range = 18-80 years) with medical conditions were included in final analyses. The most frequently reported conditions were diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart disease, asthma, and anemia. Estimates of moderate to severe depression and anxiety were 38.9% and 35.2%, respectively. The mean depression and anxiety scores were significantly higher among participants who reported having hypertension, obesity, heart disease, asthma, anemia, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Using Bonferroni correction (p < 0.004), depression was associated with being female and a student, having poorer quality of life, poorer health status and greater numbers of co-morbidities, not engaging in physical exercise and tobacco smoking. Anxiety was associated with being female and a student, having lower socioeconomic status, poorer quality of life, poorer health status and greater numbers of co-morbidities, less sleep and tobacco smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Depression and anxiety are prevalent among individuals with medical conditions and correlate with sociodemographic, quality-of-life and smoking measures. Interventions targeting vulnerable groups should be employed and investigated.
