Original Papers
Psychiatric morbidity among COVID-19 positive persons in Central Province, Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional study
Authors:
J. F. Mirza ,
Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, LK
About J. F.
University Psychiatry Unit
P. V. H. D. K. Wijayatilake,
Provincial Director of Health Services Office, Central Province, LK
D. R. D. L. Ratnayake,
Provincial Director of Health Services office, Central Province, LK
A. M. M. Godavitharana,
Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura, LK
D. K. Amarasinghe,
Teaching Hospital, Kandy, LK
About D. K.
Psychiatry Unit
T. M. P. D. M. Thennakoon,
University of Peradeniya, LK
About T. M. P. D. M.
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine
T. N. Rajapakse,
University of Peradeniya, LK
About T. N.
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine
P. H. S. Fernando
Provincial Director of Health Services Office, Central Province, LK
Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been reported to affect the physical and mental well-being of individuals due to its pathophysiology and associated strict control measures.
Aims
To explore the psychological morbidity and associated factors among the recently diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals in Central Province, Sri Lanka.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among residents of the intermediate care centres (ICC) for COVID-19 infected patients in the Central Province, Sri Lanka from 06/05/2021 to 04/08/2021. The participants completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic details and were screened for symptoms of depression and anxiety using the Patient Health Questionnaire- 9 (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7).
Results
Of the 419 participants, 18.6% and 11.2% met cutoffs for depression and anxiety respectively. None of the participants reported self-harm following the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, but 4.5% reported having experienced suicidal ideas. On bivariate analysis, female sex (P=0.002), being older than 35 years (P=0.04) and the presence of non-communicable diseases in the participant (P=0.04) were significantly associated with symptoms of depression.
Conclusions
The findings of this study indicate that a proportion of people diagnosed with acute COVID-19 infection experience psychological symptoms. This indicates the need for increased awareness about mental health issues associated with COVID-19 and the provision of appropriate psychological support for individuals at risk.
How to Cite:
Mirza, J.F., Wijayatilake, P.V.H.D.K., Ratnayake, D.R.D.L., Godavitharana, A.M.M., Amarasinghe, D.K., Thennakoon, T.M.P.D.M., Rajapakse, T.N. and Fernando, P.H.S., 2022. Psychiatric morbidity among COVID-19 positive persons in Central Province, Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional study. Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry, 13(2), pp.27–35. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljpsyc.v13i2.8375
Published on
31 Dec 2022.
Peer Reviewed
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