Description The goal of the study was to assess mental health, socio-psychological and behavioural aspects in the representative sample of Latvian general population in online survey, and to identify vulnerable groups during COVID-19 pandemic and develop future recommendations. The study was carried out from 6 to 27 July 2020 and was attributable to the period of emergency state from 11 March to 10 June 2020. The protocol included demographic data and also data pertaining to general health, previous self-reported psychiatric history, symptoms of anxiety, clinically significant depression and suicidality, as well as a quality of sleep, sex, family relationships, finance, eating and exercising and religion/spirituality, and their changes during the pandemic. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale was used to determine the presence of distress or depression, the Risk Assessment of Suicidality Scale was used to assess suicidal behaviour, current symptoms of anxiety were assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y. (2021-02-04) Subject Medicine, Health and Life Sciences Keyword: COVID19, pandemic, depression, anxiety, suicidality, mental health, Latvia
Introduction
The WHO warned that the COVID-19 pandemic could have psychiatric consequences such as elevated levels depression, increased alcohol and drug use, and other behaviours that exert a strong influence on health. In Latvia a state of emergency was announced on March 12th, was extended twice and lifted on June 10th.ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of depression and distress in the general population of Latvia and association with substance use during the state of emergency.MethodsThe nationwide representative online study in the general population of Latvia was conducted in July 2020 during three week period. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to determine the presence of distress/depression. The structured questionnaire to determine psychoactive substance use was applied. Proportions of independent variables across the study groups were compared using Chi-square
test.Results
The study sample included 2608 respondents. The prevalence of depression and distress was estimated at 5.7% (95%CI 4.92 – 6.71) and 13.5% (95%CI 6.85 – 8.91), respectively. Patients with depression (28% vs. 7.4%, p <0.001) and distress (30.9% vs. 7.4% p <0.05) smoked more tobacco compared to respondents without distress/depression. Those with depression or distress were significantly more likely to consume more alcohol during the emergency state than people without depression or distress (14.0% and 17.7% vs. 6.6%, p <0.001). The changes in the use of other psychoactive substances in those who had depression or distress were not statistically significant.ConclusionsPreparing support systems to mitigate mental health consequences is needed urgently.
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