Study Findings:
Overall 18% of the total participant (1191) have shown “Moderately
Severe” / “Severe Depression” symptoms on PHQ-9. While the GAD score
of the same population validates these findings and shows 33% of the
overall population have severe / moderately severe anxiety disorder.
Younger people aged between 18-24 and elderly people over 65 years of
age have shown to have highest level of severe /moderately sever
depression 19.6% and 37% respectively (PHQ-9). While the GAD-7 score
validates PHQ-9 findings and shows shown 33% and 32% severe/moderately
severe anxiety disorder respectively in these groups.
The students, Businessmen” and “Job Holders shows 27%, 19% and 16%
score of “severe/ moderately sever” depression respectively on PHQ-9.
While GAD score validates the finding and shows severe/moderately sever
anxiety disorder in students, jobholder and businessmen as 40%, 31%
and 21% anxiety disorder respectively.
Limitations: Both PHQ-9 and GAD have limitations in identifying
the morbidity accurately. Accordingly by applying both PHQ 9 and GAD 7
we hoped to have a more robust understanding of the psychological impact
of the current COVID crisis, lockdown as well as financial worries,
which are inevitable in this context.
Conclusion: This study has indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic
and subsequent lockdown and social isolation have unfolded higher levels
of public anxiety as well as dysphoric symptoms. The younger age group
as well as the over 65’s were worst effected by lockdown and social
isolation. However lockdown and impact on livelihoods, employment and
economy could also contribute to this finding. This survey alerts us to
these realities as consequences of states of prolonged emotional arousal
and stress and need urgent attention and action to safeguard the health
and safety of these groups of people. Health professionals working in
the public, private as well as a voluntary sectors need to work
collaboratively to develop a strategy to priorities the mental health
and well-being needs of the population to mitigate the longer-term
impact and psychological trauma which will be inevitable after this
pandemic.