COVID-19 Pandemic in a Vulnerable Population: Prevalence and Correlates of Anxiety

Shalaby, Reham; Eboreime, Ejemai; Nkire, Nnamdi; Agyapong, Belinda; Pazderka, Hannah; Obuobi-Donkor, Gloria; Adu, Medard Kofi; Mao, Wanying; Owusu, Ernest; Oluwasina, Folajinmi; Agyapong, Vincent Israel Opoku

doi:10.3390/bs12010013

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(63 reference statements)

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“…Previous studies agree with our finding, which suggested that increased social support protects against mental health effects, increases resilience, and improves coping post-natural disasters [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Low levels of social support are also associated with post-disaster psychological symptoms and mental health disorders [ 13 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Low levels of social support are also associated with post-disaster psychological symptoms and mental health disorders [ 13 ]. Furthermore, receiving absolute social support is protective against psychological distress following flooding and other natural disasters [ 31 ]. However, community, social, and governmental support play a vital role in resiliency.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluating Community Resilience and Associated Factors One Year after the Catastrophic Fort McMurray Flood

Obuobi-Donkor

Eboreime

Shalaby

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background: Resilience after natural disasters is becoming an increasingly key area of research. In April 2020, parts of Fort McMurray were affected by severe floods. The flooding caused the loss of properties, evacuation of some residents, and effects on their mental health. Objective: This study explores the prevalence and associated factors between flood experience and low resilience a year after the 2020 floods in Fort McMurray. Method: Data collection was accomplished one year after the flood, from 24 April to 2 June 2021, using an online survey. The data were analyzed with SPSS version 25 using univariate analysis with the chi-squared test and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of low resilience was 37.4%. Respondents under 25 years were nearly 26 times more likely to show low resilience (OR = 0.038; 95% CI 0.004–0.384) than respondents 40 years and above. Responders with a history of depression (OR = 0.258 95% CI: 0.089–0.744) and a history of anxiety (OR = 0.212; CI 95% 0.068–0.661) were nearly four to five times more likely to show low resilience than those without a history. Similarly, respondents willing to receive mental health counselling (OR = 0.134 95% CI: 0.047–0.378) were 7.5 times more likely to show low resilience. Participants residing in the same house before the flood were almost 11 times more likely to show low resilience (OR = 0.095; 95% CI 0.021–0.427) than those who relocated. Participants who received support from the Government of Alberta were less likely to express low resilience than those who received no or limited support (OR = 208.343; 95% CI 3.284–13,218.663). Conclusion: The study showed a low resilience rate among respondents following the 2020 flooding in Fort McMurray. Factors contributing to low resilience include age, history of depression or anxiety, and place of residence after the flood. After the flood, receiving support from the government was shown to be a protective factor. Further studies are needed to explore robust risk factors of low resilience and measures to promote normal to high resilience among flood victims in affected communities.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Community Resilience and Associated Factors One Year after the Catastrophic Fort McMurray Flood

Obuobi-Donkor

Eboreime

Shalaby

et al. 2022

IJERPH

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This contrasts with earlier studies that indicated individuals living in unstable conditions without adequate social support were more likely to experience COVID-19-related anxiety disorders [53][54][55] . It appeared that in highly vulnerable coastal communities, the immediate threat of environmental stressors may overshadow concerns related to COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in higher COVID-19 anxiety in less vulnerable, densely populated communities located further inland.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Psychological health ramifications of sea-level rise in Bangladesh coastal populations

Kabir,

Newnham,

Dewan

et al. 2023

Preprint

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This study investigates relatively unexplored impact of sea-level rise (SLR) on the psychological health of coastal populations. A longitudinal research design was employed, involving 1,144 participants from coastal communities in Bangladesh with different degree of vulnerability. Data collection phases included before and after the monsoon season of 2021. This research demonstrates that psychological health, particularly distress, depression, anxiety, and stress deteriorate markedly during the post-monsoon months (October-November) in communities more vulnerable to SLR. This deterioration is linked to an increase in environmental stressors and a sense of resource loss with the latter mediating the relationship. Additionally, we found a decrease in resilience and an increase in COVID-19 anxiety. This research illuminated multifaceted relationships between SLR, environmental stress, resource loss, and psychological health, providing valuable insights to inform the development of tailored interventions and policies for supporting the wellbeing of coastal populations, affected by growing risk of SLR.

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“…At the same time, FMM was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic [26]. The COVID-19 pandemic may profoundly affect an individual's physical and mental health [27,28]. Physical distancing and sanitation measures of COVID-19 also posted further challenges on evacuation, post-disaster regulation and recovery [29].…”

Section: Disaster Events and People In Fort Mcmurraymentioning

confidence: 99%

One Year after the Flood: Prevalence and Correlates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Residents in Fort McMurray

Mao

Eboreime

Shalaby

et al. 2022

Behavioral Sciences

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Background: The 2020 Fort McMurray (FMM) and area flood caused more than $228 million in insured damage, affected over 1200 structures, and more than 13,000 people were evacuated. Objective: This study sought to determine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like symptoms and the risk predictors among the population of FMM one year after the 2020 flooding. Methods: An online quantitative cross-sectional survey was distributed to residents of FMM via REDCap between 24 April to 2 June 2021 to collect sociodemographic, clinical, and flood-related information. The PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-C) was used to assess likely PTSD among respondents. Results: 186 of 249 respondents completed all essential self-assessment questionnaires in the analysis, yielding a response rate of 74.7%. The prevalence of likely PTSD was 39.6% (65). Respondents with a history of depression were more likely to develop PTSD symptoms (OR = 5.71; 95% CI: 1.68–19.36). Similarly, responders with limited and no family support after the disaster were more prone to report PTSD symptoms ((OR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.02–8.05) and (OR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.06–7.74), respectively). Conclusion: Our research indicated that history of depression and the need for mental health counseling significantly increased the risk of developing PTSD symptoms following flooding; family support is protective. Further studies are needed to explore the relations between the need to receive counseling and presenting with likely PTSD symptoms.

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COVID-19 Pandemic in a Vulnerable Population: Prevalence and Correlates of Anxiety

Cited by 8 publications

References 32 publications

Evaluating Community Resilience and Associated Factors One Year after the Catastrophic Fort McMurray Flood

Evaluating Community Resilience and Associated Factors One Year after the Catastrophic Fort McMurray Flood

Psychological health ramifications of sea-level rise in Bangladesh coastal populations

One Year after the Flood: Prevalence and Correlates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Residents in Fort McMurray

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