Anxiety, Depression, and Stress among Female Community Health Volunteers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Province 1, Nepal

Abstract

Introduction Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) are an integral part of various community-based health programs visiting households and communities to screen for diseases, risk factors and educate on basic health issues. A profound and wide range of psychological health issues (anxiety, stress, and depression) at the individual, community, and international levels has been reported during the COVID-19 outbreaks. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study design was used to assess the anxiety, depression, and stress level among rural and urban FCHVs during the COVID-19 in Province 1. A multistage random sampling technique was be used the select the sample. The total sample size was 384. Semi-structured structured valid Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used for measuring the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress level of FCHVs. Descriptive analysis i.e. frequency, percentage, mean, median, and standard deviation was used to assess the level of anxiety, depression, and stress among adults. Inferential analysis i.e. logistic regression was used to find the association between dependent and selected demographic variables. Findings The study revealed that the prevalence of extremely severe levels of anxiety was 35.5% of the Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) 23.4% of moderate level of stress and 21.6% of respondents were a severe level of depression respectively. There is significant association between level anxiety and ethnicity (p = 0.040; OR = 1.562; CI = 1.021–2.390), occupation (p = 0.013; OR = 3.861; CI = 1.325–11.249) and place of residence (p ≤ 0.001; OR = 1.959; CI = 1.470–3.413). There is significant association between level stress and occupation (p = 0.037; OR = 3.363; CI = 1.074–10.531) place of residence (p = 0. 005; OR = 1.817; CI = 1.193–2.767). There is significant association between level depression and ethnicity, occupation (p ≤ 0.001; OR = 2.117; OR = 1.391–3.222) and place of residence (p = 0. 026; OR = 3.371; CI = 1.158–9.812). The study concluded that the female community Health Volunteers was mild, moderate, severe and extremely severe level of anxiety, stress and depression level so prompt psychiatric intervention to enhance the mental wellbeing of FCHVs.

Grief Response of Nursing Professionals Is Associated With Their Depression, Loneliness, Insomnia, and Work-Related Stress While Working in COVID-19 Inpatients Wards

“…9 For example, during the COVID-19 outbreak, the wide increase of depression in Hubei province was confirmed. 10 In addition, the prolonged period of staying at home according to physical distancing rules was related to depression. 7 Anxiety for the pandemic and intolerance of uncertainty can influence depression.…”