Dr Varun Malhotra, Additional Professor, Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, MP, India; E-mail:
Mymensingh Med J. 2023 Apr;32(2):556-566.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, elderly people have been more prone to depression, anxiety and stress. During these trying times, they require more attention and support for their mental health. This cross-sectional study was performed with the duration of 06 months from March 2021 to August 2021 in AIIMS, Bhopal in the state of Madhya Pradesh, in central India. And the participants recruited by systematic random sampling from a population aged more than 60 years, those who were able to read and write Hindi or English and having at least one family member; who reported to AIIMS, Bhopal during the second wave of COVID-19 in India. Those who were confirmed COVID-19 cases and undergoing treatment for the same, with diagnosed mental health disorders and who didn't give consent were excluded. A Google form based online semi-structured questionnaire along with DASS-21 scale was completed by participants. Elderly (>=60 years) will be selected. Of the 690 participants 7.25% reported mild to moderate depression, whereas 0.58 percent had severe or extremely severe depression. Mild to moderate anxiety were found in 9.56% of people, while 2.46% had severe or extremely severe anxiety. Mildly or moderately were stressed 4.78%, while 0.42% was severely or extremely anxious. Alcoholism and depression were found to have a statistically significant relationship (p=0.028). During the COVID-19 pandemic, elderly subjects who napped during the day were substantially less depressed (p=0.033). The older the respondents were, the more nervous they were during the pandemic (p=0.042). There is a link between alcohol consumption and stress (p=0.043) and it was seen that females were more stressed as compared to males (p=0.045). There was a strong correlation between participants' alcohol addiction and depressive symptoms. Psychological therapies for the elderly are thought to be necessary to enhance their psychological resilience and mental health. We need to tackle the stigma related to the COVID-19 and mental health issues.
在 COVID-19 大流行期间，老年人更容易出现抑郁、焦虑和压力。在这个艰难的时期，他们需要更多的关注和支持来维护他们的心理健康。本横断面研究于 2021 年 3 月至 8 月在印度中央邦博帕尔的全印医学科学研究所进行，历时 6 个月。通过系统随机抽样，从年龄在 60 岁以上的人群中招募参与者，这些参与者能够阅读和书写印地语或英语，并且至少有一名家庭成员；在印度 COVID-19 第二波期间向博帕尔全印医学科学研究所报告。排除确诊 COVID-19 病例并正在接受治疗、患有精神健康障碍且不同意的参与者。参与者完成了基于 Google 表单的在线半结构化问卷和 DASS-21 量表。将选择老年人（>=60 岁）。在 690 名参与者中，7.25%报告轻度至中度抑郁，而 0.58%报告重度或极重度抑郁。9.56%的人有轻度至中度焦虑，而 2.46%的人有重度或极重度焦虑。4.78%的人有轻度或中度压力，而 0.42%的人有严重或极度焦虑。酒精中毒和抑郁之间存在统计学显著关系（p=0.028）。在 COVID-19 大流行期间，白天小睡的老年受试者明显抑郁程度较低（p=0.033）。受访者年龄越大，在大流行期间他们就越紧张（p=0.042）。饮酒与压力之间存在联系（p=0.043），并且发现女性比男性压力更大（p=0.045）。参与者的酒精成瘾与抑郁症状之间存在强烈相关性。认为有必要对老年人进行心理治疗，以增强他们的心理适应能力和心理健康。我们需要解决与 COVID-19 和心理健康问题相关的污名化问题。
