Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Well-Being of Patients With Thalassemia Major in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study

Hammad, Muhammad; Arif, Rasikh; Bano, Sehar; Ghani, Usman; Basani, Hima Bindu Reddy; Sanker, Vivek

doi:10.7759/cureus.35048

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 21 publications

(21 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Others reported that the children with transfusiondependent thalassemia found the lockdown an excuse to express their reluctance to attend their regular blood transfusion sessions (36). Yet, the lockdown came with less school challenges and more emotional support from immediate family contacts (37)(38)(39).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Lockdown aggravated the Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Transfusion-Dependent-Thalassemia

Youssry,

Fawzy,

Asem

et al. 2023

Pediatric Sciences Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Thalassemia is the most prevalent cause of chronic hemolytic anemia and associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Its management is demanding, timely and multidisciplinary creating a strain on the patients, their families, and society. Aim of the work:To study the effect of the corona virus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the children with transfusiondependent thalassemia. Subjects and Methods: The HRQoL (child self-report) and (parent proxy-report for those children) questionnaires of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Measurement Model were used to study the same group of 131 children with transfusion-dependent-thalassemia before and during the-COVID-19 era lockdown and compared them to 200 matched children with their parents as a control group. Results: 67 (51.1%) males and 64 (48.9%) females, transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients were included in our study. The mean age was 8.28 ± SD3.81 (range 5-18) and 8.94 ±SD 3.78 years at initial assessment and during the lockdown respectively (p=0.0001). in the pre-COVID-19 the score of patients in all the aspects of PedsQL questionnaire was 60.4±22.8 while that of the control group was 97.3±3 (p <0.001). The mean ± SD of total PedsQL score in the patients before COVID-19 was 60.24 ± 22.8 SD and during the lockdown was 55. 96±18.3 (p <0.001). The parent proxy-report for those children was lower than that of the patients (p <0.001). Before COVID-19 the least PedsQL 25.22±4.5 and 25.43±7.2 were reported by those on IV deferoxamine, and by older patients (13-18 years) compared to the control group of 97.3±3 (p <0.001 and p <0.00) respectively. During the lockdown the values dropped significantly as reported by the children and their parents (p<0.001). Conclusion: Transfusion-dependent thalassemia has an alarming negative impact on all aspects of the quality of life of the affected children and their families. This straining negative aspect was accentuated by the COVID-19 lock-down. Multidisciplinary task force to address the emotional, social, and physical perception of children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia and their parents is imperative.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Lockdown aggravated the Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Transfusion-Dependent-Thalassemia

Youssry,

Fawzy,

Asem

et al. 2023

Pediatric Sciences Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In late 2019, an obscure yet formidable adversary emerged on the global stage, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) christened it as such, and this viral interloper swiftly unleashed a pneumonia outbreak in the heart of Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China [ 1 ]. This infectious scourge was traced back to a β-coronavirus, known as the severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), characterized by its enveloped non-segmented positive-sense RNA virus nature.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Pakistan, the onslaught of COVID-19 had a disproportionate impact on the healthcare system [ 9 ]. The toll on the frontline HCWs was profound, as infections spread like wildfire.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, Attitudes, Anxiety, and Preventive Behaviors Related to COVID-19 Among Healthcare Providers: A Developing Country’s Perspective

Hammad,

Fardoos,

Arif

et al. 2023

Cureus

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background In early 2020, the rapid global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presented healthcare workers (HCWs) with an unprecedented challenge. The constant influx of new information about the virus created knowledge gaps, and the relentless demands of their work schedules left many feeling overwhelmed. This paper explores the knowledge, attitudes, anxiety levels, and preventive behaviors of HCWs in the twin cities of Pakistan, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of this crisis, it is essential to gain insights into the experiences and needs of these frontline heroes. Methodology We conducted a descriptive web-based cross-sectional study among healthcare professionals to delve into the multifaceted aspects of their experiences. This included analyzing sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge levels, attitudes, practices, and the psychological implications of the pandemic. By employing both quantitative and qualitative analysis, we aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of these parameters. Results Out of the 1150 responses collected, it became evident that breathing problems were the most recognized symptom of COVID-19 among HCWs. Impressively, 95.7% of participants believed in the primarily symptomatic nature of treatment, although 37% held the misconception that antibiotics were effective against the virus. Another noteworthy discovery was that 68.2% of HCWs favored testing before initiating treatment, yet a concerning 22.7% of treated patients received no testing. A significant proportion, approximately 19.6%, experienced heightened anxiety levels during the pandemic, leading to an increased frequency of handwashing. In terms of preventive behaviors, a majority of respondents displayed a heightened sense of caution. Nearly 59.1% reported avoiding the use of others' accessories and emphasized not reusing face masks. Furthermore, 84.1% of participants preferred staying at home during quarantine. Conclusion The study reveals the profound impact of COVID-19 on healthcare providers in Pakistan's twin cities, highlighting elevated anxiety levels among most. This underscores the urgent need for mental health support. Beyond physical effects, the pandemic significantly strains their psychological well-being. To address this stress, vital strategies include workload reduction, structured shifts, stressor minimization, and improved knowledge sharing. Cultivating a healthy work environment is equally crucial for healthcare providers' overall well-being. These insights are essential for crafting policies and interventions to better protect and support frontline workers in a developing nation like Pakistan, demonstrating healthcare professionals' resilience and dedication amid unprecedented challenges.

show abstract

Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Well-Being of Patients With Thalassemia Major in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study

Cited by 2 publications

References 21 publications

COVID-19 Lockdown aggravated the Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Transfusion-Dependent-Thalassemia

COVID-19 Lockdown aggravated the Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Transfusion-Dependent-Thalassemia

Knowledge, Attitudes, Anxiety, and Preventive Behaviors Related to COVID-19 Among Healthcare Providers: A Developing Country’s Perspective

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About