Prevalence and Correlates of Likely Anxiety Disorder in Ghana During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From a Cross-Sectional Online Survey.

Autor:	Oteng KF; Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Kumasi, Ghana., Wallace LJ; Dodowa Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Dodowa, Ghana., Adu MK; University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Department of Psychiatry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada., Lartey KF; Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA., Arthur J; Public Health Unit, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana., Dwomoh S; Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Kumasi, Ghana., Owusu-Antwi R; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Kumasi, Ghana., Tsali DN; Kumasi South Hospital, Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana., Larsen-Reindorf R; Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Kumasi, Ghana., Agyapong VIO; University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Department of Psychiatry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Disaster medicine and public health preparedness [Disaster Med Public Health Prep] 2024 Nov 15; Vol. 18, pp. e269. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Nov 15.
DOI:	10.1017/dmp.2024.105
Abstrakt:	Background: The COVID-19 pandemic created stressors to daily living, leading to increased mental health problems. It is important to assess the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, specifically anxiety. Objectives: The goal was to determine the prevalence and sociodemographic, clinical, and other correlates of likely Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) among study subjects in Ghana. Design: This study employed a cross-sectional approach, using an online survey administered primarily through social media platforms. The survey questions included the GAD-7 scale, which was used to assess likely GAD in respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis. Participants: Overall, 756 respondents completed the survey, mainly from Ashanti and Greater Accra, which were the hardest hit by COVID-19. Results: The prevalence of likely GAD in our sample was 7.6%. Gender, loss of job due to COVID-19, and seeking mental health counseling were independently associated with increased likelihood of GAD. Conclusions: The findings suggest that women, those who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and those who sought mental health counseling were more likely to experience moderate to high anxiety symptoms as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Priority must be attached to psychological support measures for members of these groups.
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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