Effect of Covid-19 pandemic on mental health among Albanian people residing in the country and abroad – Implications for mental care

Kamberi, Fatjona; Jaho, Jerina; Mechili, Enkeleint A.; Sinaj, Enkeleda; Skendo, Hera

doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2020.08.003

Cited by 18 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…However, studies in Albania have reported a high prevalence of mental health issues during the quarantine period. 23,41 Decrease of infection diseases events has been also reported in other studies. 10 This decrease is mainly due to the lockdown and the restriction measures.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Decreased hospital visits and increased mortality rate in the emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from Albania

Bucaj

Mechili

Galanis

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Objective: To investigate the hospital visits and mortality rate during the COVID-19 in emergency department of Vlora regional hospital in Albania and to compare with the three previous years (2017-2019). Data sources: Secondary data of patients that visited emergency department of Vlora Regional hospital Albania (largest hospital in the south of the country), since January 1, 2017 till December 31, 2020. Study Design: This is a retrospective study. We used the hard copy of the patients health register records. Extraction methods: The data extraction was conducted during March 2021 till June 2021. Eligible were all patients admitted and recorded in the registry of the Emergency department. The causes of admission were categorized in 14 different disease categories. All registered patient admitted to the Vlora regional hospital were included in the study. Patients that all data were not recorded and patients that data were not possible to be read were excluded. Principal Findings: Study population included 44.917 patients during 2017-2020. Mean age of patients was 51.5 years, while 53.6% were females. The highest number of patients was in 2017 (n=12.407) and the lowest in 2020 (n=9.266). Increase of patients presented with cardiovascular, psychiatric and renal/urinary tract were observed in 2020 in comparison to 2019. Patients decreased over time with an average annual percent decrease of -7% (p-value=0.22). Joinpoint analysis revealed that mortality rate increased over time with an average annual percent increase of 34.3% (95% confidence interval= -42.7% to 214.8%, p-value=0.27). Conclusions: During the study years the number of patients visiting emergency department decreased while mortality rate increased. Educating and raising awareness of patient to seek medical assistance should be a key objective of health policy makers and health personnel. A specific focus should be put on the more vulnerable (elderly and unemployed) as their health status is in higher risk.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Decreased hospital visits and increased mortality rate in the emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from Albania

Bucaj

Mechili

Galanis

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…A high prevalence of stress and post-traumatic stress disorders was documented among Nepalese 150 , Lebanese 151 , Saudi Arabian 152 , Vietnamese 153 , and Philippine nationals 154 at the height of lockdown. High levels of anxiety and depression were also documented in studies from India [155][156][157] , Ecuador 158 , Albania 159 , Ireland 160 , Hungary 88,161 , Spain 162 , Palestine 163 , the UK 164 , Kuwait 165 , Brazil, and Portugal 166 . The prevalence of people reporting clinical depression and anxiety in a sample of 1215 respondents in Italy was recorded to be 32.3% and 35.7%, respectively (compared to 15.39% and 21.40%, respectively, during pre-COVID-19 times) 142 .…”

Section: Stressmentioning

confidence: 81%

COVID-19 lockdown and lifestyles: A narrative review

et al. 2021

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Background: The primary objective worldwide during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been controlling disease transmission. However, lockdown measures used to mitigate transmission have affected human behavior and altered lifestyles, with a likely impact on chronic non-communicable diseases. More than a year into the pandemic, substantial peer-reviewed literature has emerged on altered lifestyles following the varying lockdown measures imposed globally to control the virus spread. We explored the impact of lockdown measures on six lifestyle factors, namely diet, physical activity, sleep, stress, social connectedness, and the use of tobacco, alcohol, or other harmful substances. Methods: We comprehensively searched PubMed and the World Health Organization’s global literature database on COVID-19 and retrieved 649 relevant articles for the narrative review. A critical interpretative synthesis of the articles was performed. Results: Most of the articles included in the review identified the negative effect of lockdown measures on each of the lifestyle factors in many parts of the world. Encouraging lifestyle trends were also highlighted in a few articles. Such trends can positively influence the outcome of lifestyle-related chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to better understand the negative impact of strict lockdown measures on lifestyles. At the same time, it helps us identify and initiate positive behavioral changes, which, if consolidated, could improve chronic disease outcomes. It is up to governments, communities, and healthcare/academic entities to derive benefit from lessons learned from the pandemic, with the ultimate objective of better educating and promoting healthy lifestyles among communities.

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“… 30 In addition, being a health care worker increases the levels of anxiety and psychological distress in comparison to the general population whose mental health has been affected by the pandemic even though they are not in direct contact with COVID-19 patients. 32 , 33 A study found that the lack of mental health support in the workplace is statistically related to moderate levels of anxiety among all health care workers. Anxiety is highest among the young, the age group 41–60 years old, male and married health care workers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, risk perception and coping strategies among health care workers in Albania - evidence that needs attention

Kamberi¹,

Sinaj²,

Jaho³

et al. 2021

Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health

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Background The COVID-19 pandemic impacted health care workers in many ways including mental health. This impact is usually underestimated in particular in developing countries. Objectives The study aims to assess the level of anxiety, depression, risk perception, and coping strategies of Albanian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify associated factors. Methods A cross-sectional online study was conducted from April to May 2020 by recruiting health care personnel through the snowballing method. Data collection was carried out through social media using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) by Google forms. Participants were recruited from all health care sectors including doctors, nurses, etc. working in both the public and private sectors. Results 410 questionnaires were included in the analysis. Most participants were nurses (59.3%), female (78.5%), and belonged to the age group 26–40 years (46.3%). Mild levels of anxiety were expressed in 26.9% of participants while 7.2% of them expressed moderate levels. 23.1% and 12.1% of participants expressed respectively mild and moderate depression levels. High levels of risk perception were found. A statistical association was found between occupation (p = 0.011), gender (p = 0.031), providing care for COVID-19 patients (p = 0.011), and the availably of mental health support in the workplace. Poor coping strategies were reported among participants. Conclusions Mental health support should be a priority of the healthcare system in particular for young health care workers caring for COVID-19 patients. It can improve the mental health status of health care workers and their family members, impacting the quality of care provided.

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Effect of Covid-19 pandemic on mental health among Albanian people residing in the country and abroad – Implications for mental care

Cited by 18 publications

References 33 publications

Decreased hospital visits and increased mortality rate in the emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from Albania

Decreased hospital visits and increased mortality rate in the emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from Albania

COVID-19 lockdown and lifestyles: A narrative review

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, risk perception and coping strategies among health care workers in Albania - evidence that needs attention

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