Psychiatry, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
Psychiatry, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
BMJ Open. 2021 Jan 31;11(1):e045794. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045794.
The State of Qatar has had one of the highest COVID-19 infection rates globally and has used state-managed quarantine and isolation centres to limit the spread of infection. Quarantine and isolation have been shown to negatively affect the mental health of individuals. Qatar has a unique population, with around 90% of the population being economic migrants and a majority being blue-collar workers and labourers.
This study was carried out to evaluate the psychological impact of institutional isolation and quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Qatar. The study also explored the sociodemographic correlates of this psychological impact.
DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION: A cross-sectional study involving 748 consenting individuals in institutional quarantine and isolation in Qatar during the months of June and July 2020 was carried out. Relevant sociodemographic data along with depressive and anxiety symptomatology scores were collected from consenting adults at these facilities.
37.4% (n=270) of respondents reported depressive symptoms and 25.9% (n=189) reported anxiety symptoms. The scores were higher for individuals in isolation facilities and higher for migrants from poor socioeconomic group (p<0.001 for both). Within this group, although worries about infection were widely reported, lack of contact with the family was cited as one of the most important sources of distress. Respondents reported that contact with the family and reliable information were important factors that helped during the duration of isolation and quarantine.
Our study reported significantly elevated scores for depression and anxiety during institutional quarantine, which is in keeping with emerging evidence. However, in contrast to other studies reporting mostly from native populations, this study of a population with an overwhelming majority of immigrants highlights the special mental health needs of this specific group and can inform future healthcare policies.
卡塔尔的 COVID-19 感染率在全球处于较高水平，为限制感染传播，该国使用国家管理的检疫和隔离中心。检疫和隔离已被证明会对个人的心理健康产生负面影响。卡塔尔的人口结构独特，约 90%的人口是经济移民，其中大多数是蓝领工人和劳工。
本研究旨在评估 COVID-19 疫情期间卡塔尔机构隔离和检疫对个人心理健康的影响，并探讨这种心理影响的社会人口学相关性。
设计、参与者和干预措施：本研究为横断面研究，于 2020 年 6 月至 7 月在卡塔尔的隔离和检疫机构中对 748 名同意参与的个人进行了调查。从这些设施中的同意成人那里收集了相关的社会人口统计学数据以及抑郁和焦虑症状评分。
37.4%（n=270）的受访者报告有抑郁症状，25.9%（n=189）报告有焦虑症状。在隔离设施中的个体的得分更高，来自贫困社会经济群体的移民的得分更高（两者均 p<0.001）。在这一群体中，尽管普遍担心感染，但与家人失去联系被认为是造成困扰的最重要原因之一。受访者报告说，与家人保持联系以及获取可靠信息是隔离和检疫期间帮助他们的重要因素。
我们的研究报告了在机构检疫期间抑郁和焦虑的得分显著升高，这与新出现的证据一致。然而，与主要报告来自本地人口的其他研究不同，这项针对移民占绝大多数的人口的研究强调了这一特定群体的特殊心理健康需求，并为未来的医疗保健政策提供了信息。
