Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Covid-19-Related Mental Health Burdens: Impact Of Educational Level And Relationship Status Among Low-Income Earners Of Western Uganda, Ann Monima Lemuel, Ibe Michael Usman, Keneth Iceland Kasozi, Saad Alghamdi, Eric Osamudiamwen Aigbogun, Victor Archibong, Robinson Ssebuufu, Annet Kabanyoro, Josiah Eseoghene Ifie, Dominic Terkimbi Swase, Fred Ssempijja, John Tabakwot Ayuba, Kevin Matama, Hope Onohuean, Stellamaris Kembabazi, Rachael Henry, Said Odoma, Helen Yusuf, Adam Moyosore Afodun, Hamza M. Assaggaf, Emmanuel Kairania, Akhmed Aslam, Owoisinke Okon, Gaber El-Saber Batiha, Susan Christina Welburn

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the relationship between mental health with the level of education, relationship status, and awareness on mental health among low-income earners in Western Uganda.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out among 253 participants. Anxiety, anger, and depression were assessed using a modified generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2, and Beck Depression Inventory item tools, respectively.

Results: The majority of our respondents were male (n = 150/253, 59.3), had a secondary level of education (104/253, 41.1), and were single (137/253, 54.2). No formal education and primary education (r …

The Acute And Persisting Impact Of Covid-19 On Trajectories Of Adolescent Depression: Sex Differences And Social Connectedness, Sabrina R. Liu, Elyssia Poggi Davis, Anton M. Palma, Curt A. Sandman, Laura M. Glynn

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Background

The COVID-19 era is a time of unprecedented stress, and there is widespread concern regarding its short- and long-term mental health impact. Adolescence is a sensitive period for the emergence of latent psychopathology vulnerabilities, often activated by environmental stressors. The present study examined COVID-19′s impact on adolescent depression and possible influences of different domains of social connectedness (loneliness, social media use, social video game time, degree of social activity participation).

Methods

A community sample of 175 adolescents (51% boys, mean age = 16.01 years) completed questionnaires once before and twice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Piecewise growth modeling examined the …

Correlates Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Anxiety Among Adults In Appalachia, Usa, Ram Lakhan, Louisa Summers, David Tataw, Peter Hackbert, Manoj Sharma

Social & Behavioral Health Faculty Publications

Background: Anxiety problems have increased in the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. However, very little is known about the anxiety rates in the new normal phase of the disease when adults have been assumed to be adjusted. The study aimed to find out the difference in anxiety in a convenience sample of Appalachian adults during the new normal phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, examine its association with sociodemographic factors, and compare it with the anxiety levels before the pandemic as recalled by the participants. Study design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale was used in the present study. The …

Exposure To Social Media Racial Discrimination And Mental Health Among Adolescents Of Color, Xiangyu Tao, Celia B. Fisher

Covid-19 Digital Research

Offline and online racial discrimination has been associated with mental health problems among adolescents of color. Pandemic shelter-at-home policies and the reignited racial justice movement increased the use of social media among youth of color, potentially exposing them to social media racial discrimination. Yet, it is unclear which aspects of social media significantly contributed to youth exposure to racial discrimination and associated mental health issues during this period. This study assessed the relationships among social media use (hours, racial intergroup contact, and racial justice civic engagement), individual and vicarious social media discrimination (defined as personally directed versus observing discrimination directed …

Mental Health During Covid-19 Pandemic Among Caregivers Of Young Children In Kenya’S Urban Informal Settlements. A Cross-Sectional Telephone Survey, Vibian Angweny, Margaret Kabue, Esther Chongwo, Adam Mabrouk, Ezra Too, Rachel Odhiambo, Carophine Nasambu, Joyce Marangu, Derrick Ssewanyana, Eunice Njoroge, Eunice Ombech, Mercy Mokaya, Emmanuel Obulemire, Anil Khamis, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development

The emergence of COVID-19 has profoundly affected mental health, especially among highly vulnerable populations. This study describes mental health issues among caregivers of young children and pregnant women in three urban informal settlements in Kenya during the first pandemic year, and factors associated with poor mental health. A cross-sectional telephone survey was administered to 845 participants. Survey instruments included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, and questions on the perceived COVID-19 effects on caregiver wellbeing and livelihood. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and univariate and multivariate analysis. Caregivers perceived COVID-19 as a threatening condition …

Integrating Telepsychiatry Services In A Care Setting In Kenya: A Case Report, Frank Njenga, Linnet Ongeri, Anna Nguithi, Jacqueline Anundo, Maryann Mugane, Zawadi Kimari, Gathoni Mbugua, Cushny Kaigwa, Lukoye Atwoli

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Globally, health providers and patients alike have been forced to adapt rapidly to the use of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although telepsychiatry has been tested and found just as effective as face-to-face care, there still remains little uptake of this form of care provision in sub-Saharan Africa. This case study highlights the use of telepsychiatry in a previously telemedicine-naive private mental health facility in Kenya. We describe the challenges and lessons learned from the experience. We conclude on the need to test the effectiveness and acceptability of this mode of therapy in sub-Saharan Africa.

Covid-19 And Mental Well-Being Of Nurses In A Tertiary Facility In Kenya, Sayed Karar, Jasmit Shah, Zohray Talib

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic is a global health emergency which has been shown to pose a great challenge to mental health, well-being and resilience of healthcare workers, especially nurses. Little is known on the impact of COVID-19 among nurses in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out between August and November 2020 among nurses recruited from the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. The survey questionnaire consisted of six components- demographic and work title characteristics, information regarding care of COVID-19 patients, symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, distress and burnout, measured using standardized questionnaires. Multivariable logistic …

Staying At Home: How Well Did Americans Maintain Their Health Behaviors During Covid-19?, Michael Serrur, James Rose

Population Health Research Brief Series

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a major toll on people's sense of schedule. Lack of motivation and the removal of daily routines has negatively affected health behaviors, leading to an increase in snacking and sitting around the house more frequently than before the pandemic. This brief summarizes the findings from a national survey aimed at understanding behavior change and goal setting during the pandemic and provides tips for getting back into healthy habits.

The Disproportionate Impact Of Covid-19 On Women, Ava Stallone

Honors Scholar Theses

The impact of COVID-19 is placing a large strain on women. This can be seen through reports of mental health and financial concerns. Women are more vulnerable to COVID-19 related economic effects due to existing gender inequalities, which in turn may also have a negative effect on mental health. Through this study gender disproportion is looked at between mental health and COVID-19 financial concerns among women and men. The aim is to asses how COVID-19 financial concerns may be contributing to stress, anxiety, and depression. It is hypothesized that; women will report worse mental health and greater economic concerns than …

Rates Of Anxiety And Depression Are High Among Young Adults During Covid-19, Xiaoyan Zhang

Population Health Research Brief Series

This data slice uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey to compare the percentage of U.S. young adults (ages 18-29) who reported experiencing anxiety or depression during a two-week period in late March 2021 by race/ethnicity. The brief shows much lower rates of self-reported anxiety among Non-Hispanic Blacks than among other racial/ethnic groups but no significant racial/ethnic differences in self-reported depression.

How Covid19 Has Impacted Students Nutrition And Eating Habits With The Abrupt Closure Of Restaurants And Campuses, Chloe Sermet

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic causing college campuses, restaurants, and businesses to shut down, many college students found themselves having to return home or find alternative food resources. Due to these factors, it was imperative to examine how college student’s eating habits have changed throughout the pandemic, dealing with lots of stressors, and whether having prior education on nutrition influenced those eating habits. To examine those effects, 17 nutrition minors and 126 non-nutrition minors participated in the current study in which they took the College Students Eating Habit survey and the Perception of Peer Pressure Scale. The outcome of the …

Innovative Virtual Role Play Simulations For Managing Substance Use Conversations: Pilot Study Results And Relevance During And After Covid-19, Glenn Albright, Nikita Khalid, Kristen Shockley, Kelsey Robinson, Kevin Hughes, Bethany Pace-Danley

Publications and Research

Background: Substance use places a substantial burden on our communities, both economically and socially. In light of COVID-19, it is predicted that as many as 75,000 more people will die from alcohol and other substance use and suicide as a result of isolation, new mental health concerns, and various other stressors related to the pandemic. Public awareness campaigns that aim to destigmatize substance use and help individuals have meaningful conversations with friends, coworkers, or family members to address substance use concerns are a timely and cost-effective means of augmenting existing behavioral health efforts related to substance use. These types of …

When Covid-19 Enters In A Community Setting: An Exploratory Qualitative Study Of Community Perspectives On Covid-19 Affecting Mental Well-Being, Naureen Akber Ali, Anam Shahil Feroz, Noshaba Akber, Rida Feroz, Salima Nazim Meghani, Sarah Saleem

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increased level of anxiety and fear among the general population related to its management and infection spread. Considering the relevance of present circumstances, we explored perceptions and attitudes of community members towards their mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Setting: We conducted an exploratory qualitative study using a purposive sampling approach, at two communities of Karachi, Pakistan.
Participants: In-depth interviews were conducted with community members including, young adults, middle-aged adults and older adults of both genders. Study data were analysed manually using the thematic analysis technique.
Primary outcome: The primary outcome is …

Center On Aging_Mental Health In Times Of Covid-19 Symposium, University Of Maine Center On Aging

UMaine Center on Aging

Screenshot of the program for the University of Maine Center on Aging's virtual Mental Health in Times of COVID-19 Symposium to be held on April 5, 2021. Also, included as supplemental content are an email regarding the event and a screenshot of a webpage regarding the event.

Depression Symptoms And Covid-19, Kaylee Armendariz

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Student Works

The COVID-19 pandemic presents new challenges in behavioral healthcare. Americans may face anxiety surrounding the virus, economic strain, isolation, and grief, putting them at increased risk for depression symptoms. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project aimed to increase depression screening rates and utilized data from a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) to identify population groups at higher risk for depression symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) depression screening tool, a statistical analysis determined if being tested for COVID-19 or testing positive for COVID-19 had an impact on depression symptoms. Additionally, this project …

Social Isolation: Impact On Physical And Mental Health, Alexa Waters, Md

Department of Family & Community Medicine Presentations and Grand Rounds

Learning Objectives

• Review the impact of social isolation and loneliness on important aspects of health and well-being, with a focus on older adults
• Review risk and protective factors for social isolation and loneliness
• Discuss how the health care system and primary care physicians can better identify and address social isolation
• Briefly highlight interventions to enhance social connectedness and reduce loneliness

Outline

• Background
• Impacts of social isolation and loneliness on health and well-being
• Risk and protective factors for social isolation and loneliness
• Role of the health system and primary care in addressing social isolation and loneliness
• Cases throughout

From Isolation To Connection A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Older Adults’ Social Participation Using The Cov19-Qol Scale, Kathleen Melei Otd, Jill R. Linder Dhsc, Otr

Other Specialties

Abstract

The current study evaluated the relationship between social participation and quality of life (QoL) for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community-dwelling adults (N = 230) age 65 or older completed an online survey providing demographic data to identify changes in lifestyle routine during the pandemic using the COVID-19 Quality of Life (COV19-QoL) scores. Analyses revealed significant differences in reported lifestyle routines in relation to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and significant differences in COV19-QoL scores across various demographic groups. Results demonstrated the close relationship between social participation and QOL, assisted with identifying individuals at increased risk, and …

Mental Health Of Children And Adolescents Amidst Covid-19 And Past Pandemics: A Rapid Systematic Review, Salima Meherali, Neelam Punjani, Samantha Louie-Poon, Komal Abdul Rahim, Jai K. Das, Rehana A. Salam, Zohra S. Lassi

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: The COVID‑19 pandemic and associated public health measures have disrupted the lives of people around the world. It is already evident that the direct and indirect psychological and social effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic are insidious and affect the mental health of young children and adolescents now and will in the future. The aim and objectives of this knowledge-synthesis study were to identify the impact of the pandemic on children's and adolescent's mental health and to evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions employed during previous and the current pandemic to promote children's and adolescents' mental health.
Methodology: We conducted …

Modifications To The Healing Communities Study In Response To Covid-19 Related Disruptions, Scott T. Walters, Redonna K. Chandler, Thomas Clarke, Nabila El-Bassel, Lashawn M. Glasgow, Rebecca D. Jackson, Emmanuel A. Oga, Jeffery H. Samet, Sharon L. Walsh, Gary A. Zarkin

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Administrative Support On Registered Nurse Well-Being During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Cassandra Fox

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Student Works

Attention to the well-being of nurses is necessary to ensure the healthcare system can operate effectively, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The workplace environment and support from nursing leadership strongly contribute to nurses’ well-being. Currently, there is little evidence on the effect nursing leadership has on nurses’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. This DNP clinical inquiry project sought to learn more about the effects of caring leadership behaviors on nurses’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey composed of questions from previously validated and reliable surveys used in the field of nursing was used to collect data. Neuman’s systems theory …

Area Agencies On Aging Provide Crucial Support For Older New Yorkers During Covid-19, Claire Pendergrast

Population Health Research Brief Series

This research brief discusses how Area Agencies on Aging are providing crucial support for older NewYorkers during COVID-19.

Consequences Of Covid-19 Crisis For Persons With Hiv: The Impact Of Social Determinants Of Health, Kristie Cason Waterfield, Gulzar H. Shah, Gina D. Etheredge, Osaremhen Ikhile

Department of Health Policy and Community Health Faculty Publications

Background

With the indiscriminate spread of COVID-19 globally, many populations are experiencing negative consequences such as job loss, food insecurity, and inability to manage existing medical conditions and maintain preventive measures such as social distancing and personal preventative equipment. Some of the most disadvantaged in the COVID-19 era are people living with HIV/AIDS and other autoimmune diseases.

Discussion

As the number of new HIV infections decrease globally, many subpopulations remain at high risk of infection due to lack of or limited access to prevention services, as well as clinical care and treatment. For persons living with HIV or at higher …

Wastewater Testing Shows That Pharmaceutical And Illicit Drug Use Are Higher In Places Where Covid-19 Is More Prevalent, Kerrie Marshall, Arik Palileo, Eric Schiff, Teng Zeng

Population Health Research Brief Series

Wastewater testing shows that pharmaceutical and illicit drug use are higher in places were COVID-19 is more prevalent.

Spreading Encouragement To Seniors In A Pandemic, Bonnie L. Rogulj, Lashia Hicks

Physical Therapy Collection

This brief note describes a "virtual calendar" project created by students of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. The calendar of images and poetry was shared with older adult community members to reduce loneliness and increase mental health and wellness in this population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Who Can Help Me?'': Knowledge Infused Matching Of Support Seekers And Support Providers During Covid-19 On Reddit, Manas Gaur, Kaushik Roy, Aditya Sharma, Biplav Srivastava, Amit Sheth

Publications

During the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, subreddits on Reddit, such as r/Coronavirus saw a rapid growth in user's requests for help (support seekers - SSs) including individuals with varying professions and experiences with diverse perspectives on care (support providers - SPs). Currently, knowledgeable human moderators match an SS with a user with relevant experience, i.e, an SP on these subreddits. This unscalable process defers timely care. We present a medical knowledge-infused approach to efficient matching of SS and SPs validated by experts for the users affected by anxiety and depression, in the context of with COVID-19. After matching, each SP to …

Comparing The Trends Of Postpartum Depression Screening Scores During And Before The Covid-19 Pandemic, Elif S. Duran, Dung Dang, Tony Ogburn

MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years

Introduction:

Postpartum depression includes major and minor depressive disorders affecting women in the time period after childbirth. The studies reviewed in our literature found that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk of postpartum depression for women. Our study location, the Rio Grande Valley is one of the hardest-hit locations by the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Our patient population is also one with the higher risk factors for postpartum depression. As such, we are expecting the psychological impact of the pandemic to be even more magnified, and thus, actions need to be taken to support the vulnerable population …

Income-Related Health Inequality Among Chinese Adults During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Evidence Based On An Online Survey, Peng Nie, Lanlin Ding, Zhou Chen, Shiyong Liu, Qi Zhang, Zumin Shi, Lu Wang, Hong Xue, Gordon G. Liu, Youfa Wang

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Partial- or full-lockdowns, among other interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic, may disproportionally affect people (their behaviors and health outcomes) with lower socioeconomic status (SES). This study examines income-related health inequalities and their main contributors in China during the pandemic.

METHODS: The 2020 China COVID-19 Survey is an anonymous 74-item survey administered via social media in China. A national sample of 10,545 adults in all 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in mainland China provided comprehensive data on sociodemographic characteristics, awareness and attitudes towards COVID-19, lifestyle factors, and health outcomes during the lockdown. Of them, 8448 subjects provided data for …

Reducing Objectification Could Tackle Stigma In The Covid-19 Pandemic: Evidence From China, Youli Chen, Jiahui Jin, Xiangyang Zhang, Qi Zhang, Weizhen Dong, Chun Chen

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Stigmatization associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is expected to be a complex issue and to extend into the later phases of the pandemic, which impairs social cohesion and relevant individuals' well-being. Identifying contributing factors and learning their roles in the stigmatization process may help tackle the problem. This study quantitatively assessed the severity of stigmatization against three different groups of people: people from major COVID-19 outbreak sites, those who had been quarantined, and healthcare workers; explored the factors associated with stigmatization within the frameworks of self-categorization theory and core social motives; and proposed solutions to resolve stigma. The …

Strategic Implications Of Covid-19: Considerations For Georgia’S Rural Health Providers, Bettye A. Apenteng, Linda Kimsey, Charles Owens, Samuel T. Opoku, Angela Peden, William Mase

Department of Health Policy and Community Health Faculty Publications

Whether rural hospitals and providers have seen a surge in COVID-19 cases or a reduction in patients seeking care since the pandemic began, their financial condition has been negatively impacted. Many providers have now received some emergency funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and the Payroll Protection Program but these are likely only short-term fixes. For many, the crisis has exacerbated already existing problems. Notable among these problems are volume declines, supply chain disruptions, and workforce concerns. While these problems require immediate action, two longer-term systemic changes to rural healthcare delivery are needed to address them. …

Prisons, Nursing Homes, And Medicaid: A Covid-19 Case Study In Health Injustice, Mary Crossley

Articles

The unevenly distributed pain and suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic present a remarkable case study. Considering why the coronavirus has devastated some groups more than others offers a concrete example of abstract concepts like “structural discrimination” and “institutional racism,” an example measured in lives lost, families shattered, and unremitting anxiety. This essay highlights the experiences of Black people and disabled people, and how societal choices have caused them to experience the brunt of the pandemic. It focuses on prisons and nursing homes—institutions that emerged as COVID-19 hotspots –and on the Medicaid program.

Black and disabled people are disproportionately represented in …