Original Articles PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON GENERAL POPULATION IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background:

Pakistan confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19 on 26th February 2020 with both having a common history of returning from Iran. Since then, an increase has been observed in cases. Social distancing, isolation, and complete lockdown have affected a large number of people physically and emotionally.

Material and Methods:

The current study aims to evaluate the psychological impact of COVID-19 among the public of Pakistan. In order to conduct this study, internationally validated scales were used, naming Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R). Four hundred and fifty-eight (458) responses were taken from the general population including students (both medical and non-medical field), teachers, business owners, employees and housewives. A brief bio-data about gender, age range and education status was taken. Complete confidentiality was maintained during this study.

Results:

The study included 458 respondents from the general population. The analysis of psychological impact using the IES-R scale showed that 268(58.5%) recorded minimal psychological impact, 58(12.6%) recorded mild psychological impact, 132(28.8%) had moderate to the severe psychological impact. According to DASS-21, 33% reported to have moderately to the extremely severe depression, 34.9% reported to have moderately to extremely severe anxiety and 17.9% were reported to have moderately to the severely stress.

Conclusion:

People are suffering from psychological pressure due to COVID-19. Depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD are our concern for this study.