Assessment of community psycho-behavioral responses during the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV): a cross-sectional study

Doaa M Magdy; Ahmed Metwally; Omar Magdy; Doaa M Magdy; Ahmed Metwally; Omar Magdy

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2022003

AIMS Public Health

2022, Volume 9, Issue 1: 26-40. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2022003

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Research article Topical Sections

Assessment of community psycho-behavioral responses during the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV): a cross-sectional study

1.
Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit University, Egypt
2.
Medical student Faculty of Medicine, Assuit University, Egypt

Received: 09 September 2021 Accepted: 01 November 2021 Published: 09 November 2021

The novel coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV) is a public health emergency of international concern resulting in adverse psychological impacts during the epidemic.

Methods
From 1 to 10 April 2020, we conducted an online survey. The online survey collected information on demographic data, precautionary measures against (2019-nCoV), self-health evaluation, knowledge, and concerns about (2019-nCoV), and appraisal of crisis management. The psychological impact was assessed by the General Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale. The designed questionnaire was answered by participants, and collected data were statistically analyzed.

Results
This study included 1200 respondents. In total, 80% of respondents rated the psychological impact; 18% reported minimal anxiety; 34% reported mild anxiety, and 48% with moderate anxiety symptoms. A large proportion (74%) believed that they were very or somewhat likely to contract (2019-nCoV) while only (35%) believed they were unlikely to survive if they contracted the disease. (58%) of the respondents, practiced the precautionary measures directed against person-to-person droplet spread. Respondents with a moderate level of anxiety were most likely to take comprehensive precautionary measures against the infection. Also, older, female, more educated people as well as those who are more likely to contract the infection.

Conclusions
During the outbreak, more than half of the respondents rated the psychological impact as moderate anxiety. Thus, the psychological needs during the outbreak should be addressed appropriately. Our results highlight the need to promote protective personal health practices to interrupt the transmission of the (2019-nCoV) in the community. Therefore, educational public programs about preventive measures should be targeted at the identified groups with low current uptake of precautions.
- anxiety,
- coronavirus,
- precaution,
- psychological impact
Citation: Doaa M Magdy, Ahmed Metwally, Omar Magdy. Assessment of community psycho-behavioral responses during the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV): a cross-sectional study[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2022, 9(1): 26-40. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2022003

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Abstract

The novel coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV) is a public health emergency of international concern resulting in adverse psychological impacts during the epidemic.

Methods

From 1 to 10 April 2020, we conducted an online survey. The online survey collected information on demographic data, precautionary measures against (2019-nCoV), self-health evaluation, knowledge, and concerns about (2019-nCoV), and appraisal of crisis management. The psychological impact was assessed by the General Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale. The designed questionnaire was answered by participants, and collected data were statistically analyzed.

Results

This study included 1200 respondents. In total, 80% of respondents rated the psychological impact; 18% reported minimal anxiety; 34% reported mild anxiety, and 48% with moderate anxiety symptoms. A large proportion (74%) believed that they were very or somewhat likely to contract (2019-nCoV) while only (35%) believed they were unlikely to survive if they contracted the disease. (58%) of the respondents, practiced the precautionary measures directed against person-to-person droplet spread. Respondents with a moderate level of anxiety were most likely to take comprehensive precautionary measures against the infection. Also, older, female, more educated people as well as those who are more likely to contract the infection.

Conclusions

During the outbreak, more than half of the respondents rated the psychological impact as moderate anxiety. Thus, the psychological needs during the outbreak should be addressed appropriately. Our results highlight the need to promote protective personal health practices to interrupt the transmission of the (2019-nCoV) in the community. Therefore, educational public programs about preventive measures should be targeted at the identified groups with low current uptake of precautions.

Abbreviations

2019-nCoV

novel coronavirus 2019

GAD-7

General Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale

MOHP

Ministry of Health and Population

Acknowledgments

Conceptualization and methodology: Doaa M Magdy, Ahmed Metwally, and Omar Magdy; validation, formal analysis, writing, and editing: Doaa M Magdy, Ahmed Metwally. All authors reviewed and commented on subsequent drafts and approved the final version of the manuscript. We express our appreciation to all interviewers for conducting this survey.

Ethical approval and consent to participate

This study was conducted according to the guidelines laid down in the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine. The data were confidential. All procedures in the current study were performed according to the ethical standards of the institutional research committee.

Consent for publication

Online written consent was obtained from all participants.

Institutional review board statement

This study was approved by the Faculty of Medicine Ethics and Scientific Research Committees.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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