The role of digital health in revolutionizing healthcare delivery and improving health outcomes in conflict zones

Ahmed, Sirwan Khalid; Hussein, Safin; Chandran, Deepak; Islam, Md. Rabiul; Dhama, Kuldeep

doi:10.1177/20552076231218158

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 11 publications

(11 reference statements)

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“…These findings align with previous research highlighting the impact of logistical and financial barriers on helpseeking behaviors, particularly in low-and middle-income countries [35,36]. Addressing these instrumental barriers by improving healthcare infrastructure, providing financial support, and increasing public awareness about available mental health services can significantly enhance access and engagement in mental health care [37][38][39].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Exploring Young Adults' Reluctance to Engage With Psychiatric Hospitals in Erbil, Iraq: Identifying Barriers to Psychiatric Care

Ahmed,

Saber,

Naif

et al. 2024

Cureus

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Background and aim: In Erbil, Iraq, the reluctance of young adults to engage with psychiatric services is influenced by a complex array of barriers, including stigma-related, attitudinal, and instrumental factors that hinder effective mental healthcare access. This study aimed to identify these specific barriers to accessing psychiatric care among young adults in Erbil. Materials and methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional online survey conducted between April 5th and May 1st, 2024. Data collection was carried out through purposive sampling and involved a comprehensive questionnaire. Electronic informed consent was obtained from all participants before they started the survey, which collected demographic data and utilized the Barriers to Access to Care Evaluation (BACE v3) tool. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) were used for categorical data, while the mean and standard deviation characterized continuous variables. Chi-square tests, including Fisher’s exact test and odds ratio (OR), were used to analyze categorical data, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 407 participants were enrolled in the study. The study highlighted several barriers to mental health care. Stigma-related barriers were significant, with participants fearing being seen as weak (mean score = 2.14, SD = 0.96) and concerns about being labeled "crazy" (mean score = 1.80, SD = 1.19). Regarding attitudinal barriers, there was a notable preference for dealing with issues independently (mean score = 2.04, SD = 0.98) and a tendency toward resolving problems without professional help (mean score = 1.88, SD = 0.98). Additionally, instrumental barriers were identified, including the rare availability of culturally diverse mental health professionals (mean score = 1.78, SD = 1.09) and practical difficulties such as arranging transportation to appointments (mean score = 0.61, SD = 0.87). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that young adults in Erbil face significant stigma and attitudinal and instrumental barriers to accessing psychiatric care. In response to these findings, it is recommended for the government to prioritize mental health awareness, actively destigmatize mental health issues, and improve service accessibility to foster a supportive care environment. Additionally, mental health professionals and educational institutions should collaborate to provide targeted support programs and resources for young adults.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Exploring Young Adults' Reluctance to Engage With Psychiatric Hospitals in Erbil, Iraq: Identifying Barriers to Psychiatric Care

Ahmed,

Saber,

Naif

et al. 2024

Cureus

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These conditions can manifest in various forms, including persistent worry, irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and feelings of hopelessness or despair [ 6 ]. If left unaddressed, they may contribute to a higher risk of developing chronic mental health disorders, impaired social and occupational functioning, and a diminished overall sense of well-being [ 7 - 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Anxiety, Stress, and Depression Among COVID-19 Survivors After 40 Months in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: An Online Cross-Sectional Study

Hamad,

Taher,

Naif

et al. 2024

Cureus

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Background and aims: COVID-19 survivors often experience significant and pervasive psychological distress. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and demographic factors affecting anxiety, stress, and depression levels among COVID-19 survivors in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Method: This online cross-sectional study was conducted from August 1, 2023 to December 17, 2023, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, including Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok. Purposive sampling was used to collect data using an online survey. The survey included demographic information and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21). Statistical analysis was performed using Stata version 12 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX), with frequency and percentage used for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables. Ordinal regression analyses were conducted to assess associations between demographic factors and mental health outcomes. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 783 participants were enrolled in the study. The mean score for anxiety was 11.62 ± 4.71, indicating moderate levels. For depression, the mean score was 11.54 ± 5.21, indicating mild levels, and for stress, the mean score was 14.0 ± 5.78, indicating normal levels. Younger individuals (15-27) showed higher stress (Estimate: 18.96, P=0.001) and anxiety (Estimate: 2.79, P=0.001) levels compared to older age groups. Males reported significantly lower stress (Estimate: -1.01, P=0.001), anxiety (Estimate: -1.29, P=0.001), and depression (Estimate: -0.72, P=0.001) than females. Participants with a diploma had lower anxiety (Estimate: 0.65, P=0.004) and stress (Estimate: 0.77, P=0.002) levels compared to those with only elementary education. Conclusions: The study found moderate levels of anxiety among COVID-19 survivors, with mild depression and normal stress levels. To address these issues, it is recommended that policymakers develop targeted mental health interventions. Healthcare providers should focus on early identification and treatment, providing personalized counseling and support to enhance coping mechanisms and overall psychological well-being. By implementing these measures, mental health outcomes for COVID-19 survivors in Iraq can be significantly improved.

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Prevalence, associated factors and consequence of problematic smartphone use among adolescents and young adults in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

Islam,

Mondol,

Kundu

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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Background Problematic smartphone use (PSU) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, adolescents, and young adults are of major concern to parents. However, the prevalence and associated factors related to these issues in Bangladeshi adolescents and young adults remain unclear to the best of our knowledge. The aim of this study is to assess PSU and ADHD in the context of adolescent and young adult age groups in Bangladesh. Methods The present study collected data from diverse geographical locations in Bangladesh via face-to-face surveys using stratified random sampling methods. We considered age, sex, and geographic location stratification criteria. A total of 578 respondents participated in the survey initially. From this, we discarded 36 responses after screening because the information provided was insufficient or incomplete response. In the end, 542 replies were incorporated into the final analysis. PSU and ADHD depend on several factors, including the individual’s demographic background. Results The prevalence of PSU and ADHD symptoms in adolescents and young adults in Bangladesh is 61.44% and 37.45%, respectively based on our findings. The symptoms of PSU are correlated with age, education level, family type (nuclear/joint), sleeping pattern, physical exercise, and residence area. ADHD symptoms are correlated with age, education level, living with family, smoking habit, physical disability, sleeping pattern, physical exercise, residence area, and PSU. Also, we observed that ADHD and PSU symptoms are positively correlated with each other. Conclusion A large proportion of young adults and adolescents reported PSU and ADHD symptoms. The present findings have practical implications in clinical psychology, psychotherapy, and related policy considerations. We propose to develop an inclusive interventional strategy and community-based programs to address PSU and ADHD-related issues.

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The role of digital health in revolutionizing healthcare delivery and improving health outcomes in conflict zones

Cited by 3 publications

References 11 publications

Exploring Young Adults' Reluctance to Engage With Psychiatric Hospitals in Erbil, Iraq: Identifying Barriers to Psychiatric Care

Exploring Young Adults' Reluctance to Engage With Psychiatric Hospitals in Erbil, Iraq: Identifying Barriers to Psychiatric Care

Assessment of Anxiety, Stress, and Depression Among COVID-19 Survivors After 40 Months in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: An Online Cross-Sectional Study

Prevalence, associated factors and consequence of problematic smartphone use among adolescents and young adults in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

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