Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Champs Fleurs, Trinidad and Tobago.
Public Health and Primary Care Unit, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Champs Fleurs, Trinidad and Tobago.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Aug 8;20(16):6543. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20166543.
Persons with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were identified as particularly at risk of severe morbidity and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Little is written about the impact of COVID-19 on this sub-population in the Caribbean, where the prevalence of NCDs is disproportionately high. This study aimed to ascertain COVID-related concerns, and the mental health impact of the pandemic among persons with and without NCDs in Trinidad and Tobago, during the acute period of COVID-19 lockdowns early in the pandemic. An anonymous online survey collected cross-sectional data from a convenience sample nationwide. Of 1287 respondents, 219 self-identified as having an NCD. Findings suggest that the pandemic was experienced unequally by persons with NCDs, who were more likely to be concerned about health and wellbeing and to report health inequalities-unemployment, social isolation and negative effects of government restrictions. Compared to those without NCDs, they were more likely to increase use of marijuana during the lockdown period, and to report severe anxiety/depression that can result in exacerbation of NCDs. Interventions for persons with NCDs must address the mental health consequences of any pandemic, including increased drug use, and also address social inequalities to reduce sustained post-pandemic mental health impact and negative health outcomes.
患有慢性非传染性疾病（NCDs）的人被认为在 COVID-19 大流行期间特别容易出现严重的发病率和死亡率。关于 COVID-19 对加勒比地区这一亚人群的影响，人们知之甚少，在该地区，NCD 的发病率不成比例地高。本研究旨在确定在 COVID-19 大流行期间，特立尼达和多巴哥的 NCD 患者和非 NCD 患者对 COVID 的担忧，以及大流行对他们心理健康的影响。一项匿名在线调查从全国范围内的便利样本中收集了横断面数据。在 1287 名受访者中，有 219 名自我认定患有 NCD。研究结果表明，NCD 患者在大流行期间的经历不平等，他们更关心健康和福利，并报告存在健康不平等——失业、社会隔离和政府限制的负面影响。与没有 NCD 的人相比，他们在封锁期间更有可能增加大麻的使用，并报告严重的焦虑/抑郁，这可能导致 NCD 的恶化。针对 NCD 患者的干预措施必须解决任何大流行的心理健康后果，包括增加药物使用，还必须解决社会不平等问题，以减少大流行后持续的心理健康影响和不良健康结果。
