Holistic approach supporting mental wellbeing of people in enforced quarantine in South Australia during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives : To report the experience of quarantine for international arrivals to South Australia requiring quarantine in a medi‐hotel setting during the COVID‐19 pandemic and to describe the range of evidence‐based support services to mitigate the mental health impacts of quarantine. Methods : A range of services targeted at physical and mental wellbeing were provided. Data from 533 adult respondents out of 721 passengers were included. The Kessler 10 was used to measure psychological distress at two time points. Results : About 7.1% of respondents reported psychological distress at time one, reduced to 2.4% at time two. There was no significant difference in psychological distress by gender at either time point. The mean K10 score at time one was 13.6 (standard deviation=5.2) and the mean score at time two was 11.5 (standard deviation=3.1), with a significant reduction in mean scores ( p <0.001) between the two time points. Conclusions : The level of psychological stress in repatriated Australians was low at arrival and improved further at the time of release from quarantine. Implications for public health : A collaborative multi‐sector approach to provide support services for individuals in quarantine can mitigate risks to mental wellbeing.

A cross-sectional investigation of the mental health and wellbeing among individuals who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 international border closure in Australia

“…Despite this, the data shows that mean levels of distress were substantially higher than population data from Australia prior to [ 22 ] and, more importantly, during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic [ 7 , 17 ]. Levels of psychological distress (83.6% K10 > 22) were substantially higher than recent surveys during the COVID-19 pandemic reported from individuals in lockdown (30.3% K10 > 12) [ 23 ], quarantine (7.1% K10 > 22) [ 24 ], and other vulnerable groups including healthcare workers (46% K10 > 22) [ 25 ]. Reported levels of perceived distress were also substantially higher than those found in previous studies in Australia [ 26 ] while results for wellbeing followed a similar pattern.…”

“…We found substantially higher levels of psychological distress among individuals who reported having been negatively affected by the COVID-19 international border closure compared to other vulnerable groups during the pandemic such as individuals in lockdown [ 23 ], quarantine [ 24 ] or healthcare workers [ 25 ]. Our findings indicate that respondents were similarly affected, whether they were in Australia or overseas.…”

The COVID-19 risk perceptions, health precautions, and emergency preparedness in older CALD adults in South Australia: A cross-sectional study

“…Although the Australian federal government offered translated information pack and free telephone consultation to reduce the loneliness, distress or confusion, studies are limited in focusing on the use of these services by older CALD South Australians. [ 18 , 19 ]. Finally, CALD populations in South Australia are generally identified with a low health literacy and a lack of access to healthcare and social support services.…”

Psychological effects of, and compliance with, self-isolation among COVID-19 patients in South Batinah Governorate, Oman: a cross-sectional study

“…However, the current findings are lower than both these results (19.47 + 7.996). A recently published paper from Australia found a lower prevalence rate of 7.1% for people experiencing quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic using K10 while the mean score was 13.6 [ 20 ].…”