Dataset Information

Psychological health problems among Syrians during war and the COVID-19 pandemic: national survey.

ABSTRACT: This study aims to assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak embedded within the war in Syria. A web-based cross-sectional survey design was employed. The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale revealed a high prevalence of depressive (n = 3326; 83.4%) and anxiety symptoms (n = 2777; 69.6%) among the 3989 participants. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with depression and anxiety. There is an urgent need within the healthcare system in Syria to provide mental healthcare to alleviate acute mental health disturbances and associated physical health perceptions among Syrians.

SUBMITTER: Mohsen F

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8314981 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Psychological health problems among Syrians during war and the COVID-19 pandemic: national survey.

Mohsen Fatema F Bakkar Batoul B Melhem Sara S Aldakkak Samar S Mchantaf Dana D Marrawi Marah M Latifeh Youssef Y

BJPsych international 20210801 3

This study aims to assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak embedded within the war in Syria. A web-based cross-sectional survey design was employed. The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale revealed a high prevalence of depressive (<i>n</i> = 3326; 83.4%) and anxiety symptoms (<i>n</i> = 2777; 69.6%) among the 3989 participants. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associ ...[more]

PMID: 34382955

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundSocial isolation measures are requisites to control viral spread during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, if these measures are implemented for a long period of time, they can result in adverse modification of people's health perceptions and lifestyle behaviors.ObjectiveThe aim of this cross-national survey was to address the lack of adequate real-time data on the public response to changes in lifestyle behavior during the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-national web-based survey was administered using Google Forms during the month of April 2020. The settings were China, Japan, Italy, and India. There were two primary outcomes: (1) response to the health scale, defined as perceived health status, a combined score of health-related survey items; and (2) adoption of healthy lifestyle choices, defined as the engagement of the respondent in any two of three healthy lifestyle choices (healthy eating habits, engagement in physical activity or exercise, and reduced substance use). Statistical associations were assessed with linear and logistic regression analyses.ResultsWe received 3371 responses; 1342 were from India (39.8%), 983 from China (29.2%), 669 from Italy (19.8%), and 377 (11.2%) from Japan. A differential countrywise response was observed toward perceived health status; the highest scores were obtained for Indian respondents (9.43, SD 2.43), and the lowest were obtained for Japanese respondents (6.81, SD 3.44). Similarly, countrywise differences in the magnitude of the influence of perceptions on health status were observed; perception of interpersonal relationships was most pronounced in the comparatively old Italian and Japanese respondents (β=.68 and .60, respectively), and the fear response was most pronounced in Chinese respondents (β=.71). Overall, 78.4% of the respondents adopted at least two healthy lifestyle choices amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike health status, the influence of perception of interpersonal relationships on the adoption of lifestyle choices was not unanimous, and it was absent in the Italian respondents (odds ratio 1.93, 95% CI 0.65-5.79). The influence of perceived health status was a significant predictor of lifestyle change across all the countries, most prominently by approximately 6-fold in China and Italy.ConclusionsThe overall consistent positive influence of increased interpersonal relationships on health perceptions and adopted lifestyle behaviors during the pandemic is the key real-time finding of the survey. Favorable behavioral changes should be bolstered through regular virtual interpersonal interactions, particularly in countries with an overall middle-aged or older population. Further, controlling the fear response of the public through counseling could also help improve health perceptions and lifestyle behavior. However, the observed human behavior needs to be viewed within the purview of cultural disparities, self-perceptions, demographic variances, and the influence of countrywise phase variations of the pandemic. The observations derived from a short lockdown period are preliminary, and real insight could only be obtained from a longer follow-up.

Project description:BackgroundWhile hate crimes rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, few studies examined whether this pandemic-time racial discrimination has led to negative health consequences at the population level.ObjectiveWe examined whether experienced and perceived racial discrimination were associated with mental or behavioral health outcomes during the pandemic.DesignIn October 2020, we conducted a national survey with minorities oversampled that covered respondents' sociodemographic background and health-related information.ParticipantsA total of 2709 participants responded to the survey (response rate: 4.2%).Main measuresThe exposure variables included (1) experienced and encountered racial discrimination, (2) experienced racial and ethnic cyberbullying, and (3) perceived racial bias. Mental health outcomes were measured by psychological distress and self-rated happiness. Measures for behavioral health included sleep quality, change in cigarette smoking, and change in alcohol consumption. Weighted logistic regressions were performed to estimate the associations between the exposure variables and the outcomes, controlling for age, gender, race and ethnicity, educational attainment, household income, eligibility to vote, political party, COVID-19 infection, and geographic region. Separate regressions were performed in the six racial and ethnic subgroups: non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, East Asian, South Asian, and Southeast Asian respondents.Key resultsExperienced racial discrimination was associated with higher likelihood of psychological distress (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.18, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.34-3.55). Experienced racial discrimination (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.34-3.99) and perceived racial bias (AOR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00-1.09) were both associated with increased cigarette smoking. The associations between racial discrimination and mental distress and substance use were most salient among Black, East Asian, South Asian, and Hispanic respondents.ConclusionsRacial discrimination may be associated with higher likelihood of distress, and cigarette smoking among racial and ethnic minorities. Addressing racial discrimination is important for mitigating negative mental and behavioral health ramifications of the pandemic.

Dataset Information

Psychological health problems among Syrians during war and the COVID-19 pandemic: national survey.

Publications

Psychological health problems among Syrians during war and the COVID-19 pandemic: national survey.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets