Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: April-June | Volume: 5 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 36-46
A Study on Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Psychological Health, Economy and Social Life of People in Kashmir
Bilal Ahmad Bhat1, Samira Khan2, Shazia Manzoor3, Afreen Niyaz4, Humaira Jasmin Tak5, Sidrat-Ul-Muntaha Anees6, Shaziya Gull7, Intizar Ahmad8
1Division of Social Science, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-Kashmir, J&K
2Imam Abdur Rahman bin Faisal University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dammam
3Department of Social Work, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Kashmir, J&K
4Institute of Home Science, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar-190006, J&K
5Department of Law, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar-190006, J&K
6Government College for Women, M.A.Road Srinagar, Kashmir, J&K
7Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar-190006, J&K
8S.H.Institute of Islamic Studies, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006
Corresponding Author: Bilal Ahmad Bhat
Published: April 25, 2020
ABSTRACT
The 2019 corona virus disease (COVID-19) epidemic is a public health emergency of international concern and poses a challenge to psychological resilience, economy and social life of people. Research data are needed to develop evidence-driven strategies to reduce adverse psychological impacts, economic recession and disturbance of social life during the epidemic. The aim of this study was to survey the general public in Kashmir to better understand their levels of psychological impact, anxiety, depression and stress along with the economic downfall disturbing the social life of people during the initial stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. The results of our study revealed that 76.5% respondents believe that lockdown is the temporary solution to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection it can result in many new problems such as psychological problems (67.5%%), social problems (53.5%), economic problems (48.5%), academic problems if COVID-19 lockdown continues. Further, majority of the respondents (male= 61.5%, 58.5%) were always washing hands after touching contaminated objects, majority of respondents (male= 35.5%, female=39.5%) were occasionally wearing a mask regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms, majority of respondents (male= 79.5%, female=82.5%) always were covering mouth when coughing and sneezing, majority of respondents (male= 43.5%, female=40.5%) were occasionally washing hands immediately after coughing sneezing or rubbing nose and majority of respondents (male= 33.5%, female=29.5%) were occasionally avoiding sharing utensils (e.g., chopsticks) during meals. Statistically, nonsignificant difference in general was observed between male and female respondents regarding precautionary measures adopted by study population in current COVID-19 Lockdown. Majority of the respondents spent maximum time at home checking daily details about COVID-19 spread details (67.5%) worried about their family members and were not satisfied the way Government tackled this problem at the beginning. The study further revealed that respondents were of the opinion that Government should facilitate COVID-19 testing for the safety of the people using random selection (68.5%), cluster selection (72.5%) and testing of whole population (35.5%). The respondents in majority were of the opinion that those who have travel history (94.5%), who are migrant workers (97.5%), who contact with any corona positive (98%), those living in red zones (80.5%) should be tested on priority basis. Finally, it was suggested that to cope with COVID-19 lockdown stress, keep ourselves busy in physical activities, religious activities and social work.
Keywords: anxiety; corona virus; depression; epidemic; precaution; psychological impact; respiratory symptoms; stress, Kashmir; statistics