A Study on Assessment of Depression, Anxiety and Stress among South Indian Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: In mid-December 2019, the Chinese city of Wuhan reported a novel pneumonia caused by a corona virus disease which has spread domestically and internationally since then. The virus has been named specifically as severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) but is known more generally as COVID-19, and is highly infectious. Aim: To assess the impact of COVID-19 on Depression, Anxiety and stress among south Indian population. Methodology: Cross sectional Observational study Design. 18 years old and older people who are willing to fill the online form were included in the study. People who are not willing to fill the form and those who filled the forms incompletely were excluded from the study. Microsoft Excel was used for recording and analyzing the data of recruited subjects. Results and Discussions: 64.9% of respondents are in normal condition of depression with, 10.9% of respondents are in state of mild depression 12.1% of respondents are in state of moderate depression 6.72% of respondents are in state of severe depression, 5.25% of respondents are in state of extremely severe depression with mean and standard deviation of 34.16 ± 4.23. When it comes to the anxiety 65.7% of respondents are in normal condition, 4.83% of respondents are in state of mild anxiety, 13.2% of respondents are in state of moderate anxiety, 4.62% of respondents are in state of severe anxiety, 11.5% of respondents are in state of extremely severe depression. When it comes to the stress 78.3% of respondents are in normal condition and no much effect of stress on respondents. Conclusion: Respondents with COVID positive are prone to moderate depression, stress and severe anxiety. Males are more affected with depression and anxiety when compared to females and young age people are mostly affected with psychological disturbances. Freelancer and unemployed respondents are more prone to depression and anxiety. The respondents who are unsure about the status of COVID positive are prone to moderate depression, severe anxiety and mild stress.

Keywords: COVID-19, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Psychological disturbances.