Original Research Article
Year: 2021 | Month: January-March | Volume: 6 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 122-125
Psychological Impact and Perceived Mental Health Care Needs during COVID-19 Pandemic among Health Care Professionals and General Population in India: A Comparative Study
Pooja Rani1, Rajni2, Vishal Gautam3
1Department of Paediatric Nursing, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi College of Nursing, SMVDU (Kakryal), Katra, J&K.
2Ex-Resident at Lal Bahadur Shashtri Hospital, Delhi.
Dental Surgeon at Sai Dental Clinic and Implant Centre, Ghaziabad, NCR Delhi.
3Resident, Dental Surgeon at Lal Bahadur Shashtri Hospital, Delhi.
Corresponding Author: Pooja Rani
ABSTRACT
Background: Fear, worry, and stress are normal responses to perceived or real threats, and at times when we are faced with uncertainty or the unknown. So, it is normal and understandable that people are experiencing fear in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aim: This study aimed to assess and compare psychological impact and perceived mental health care needs during COVID 19 pandemic among health care professionals and general population in East District, Delhi, India.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional online survey was conducted by using Google forms. Psychological impact was assessed by using Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale. Result showed that average GAD-7 score for anxiety was 10.6 (M = 10.6; SD = 1.71) for health care professionals and 10.8 (M = 10.8; SD = 1.49) for general population. Using a cut-off score of 10 for GAD-7, researcher found 74% health care professionals and 87% general population with moderated or severe symptoms of GAD. A total of 84.3% health care professionals and 92% general population requires mental health care need in current crisis.
Conclusion: Researcher concluded that majority of the participants (80.5%) are having moderated or severe symptoms of anxiety. On comparison it was found that general population is more anxious and worried regarding COVID-19 pandemic in India and need to deal with their mental health difficulties which they are having in the current situation.
Keywords: Psychological impact, Mental health care needs, Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), COVID-19