Abstract:

Background: An important clinical consequence seen in a significant proportion of COVID-19 patients is psychological impairment. By analyzing the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression and their socio-demographic correlates; the current research aimed to examine the psychological burden among COVID-19 patients.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study. An exit interview of COVID-19 patients was conducted at the time of discharge using a semi-structured proforma. For assessing psychological impact of COVID-19, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used. Ethical clearance was taken from Institutional Ethics Committee. Appropriate statistical tests were applied to compare the means of various psychological scores (stress, anxiety, and depression) w.r.t. different socio-demographic variables.Results: A total of 114 COVID-19 patients were studied. 50% were native of other Indian states. 79% patients had symptoms of stress on PSS while 30.7% and 34.2% of patients had definite anxiety and depressive symptoms on HADS.Statistically significant difference in perceived stress scores was noted w.r.t. age (p=0.049), educational status (p=0.047), occupation (p=0.006) and COVID-19 infection in fellow family members (t=-3.351; p=0.001). Mean difference of HADS depression score was found to be statistically significant w.r.t occupation (p=0.021), native place of residence (p=0.007) and COVID-19 infection in fellow family members (t=-2.739; p=0.007).Conclusion: Age, education, occupation, native residential place and COVID-19 infection in family were factors associated with higher psychological burden in COVID-19 patients.

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