The impact of the covid-19 pandemic on mental health among the Malaysian population

Gunawardana, Nalini Anukshi (2021) The impact of the covid-19 pandemic on mental health among the Malaysian population. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text FPSK2 2021 43.pdf Download (2MB)

Abstract

Following the increase of COVID-19 cases, the Malaysian government has implemented a Movement Control Order (MCO) starting on 18th March 2020. It is a set of quarantine and sanitary regulations imposed by the Malaysian government to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, mainly to flatten the epidemiologic curve. During this period, all Malaysians are advised to stay at home, maintain physical distance, and be restricted within 10 km of their residential area. Previous studies have revealed that staying at home for prolonged periods of crisis during the COVID-19 outbreak significantly increased mental health problems. However, the psychological impact of the MCO on the general population in Malaysia is mainly unexplored yet. Objective: This study aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 disease outbreak on the mental health of the Malaysian adult population. Methodology: To determine the impact of MCO implementation on mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak, a cross-sectional study among Malaysian adult citizens (18 years old and above) who were at the current residence during the MCO was included. However, respondents categorised as frontliners, COVID-19 positive patients, individuals who have been or are being quarantined, and a person under investigation were excluded from this study. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess depression, anxiety, and stress. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the association between demographic factors and psychological responses such as depression, anxiety, and stress during MCO. Results: A total of 497 respondents were collected, whereby a majority of the participants were female (62.4%), between 36-45 years old (35.6%), Malay ethnicity (93.6%), and married (22.1%) with monthly income below MYR4, 360 (43.1%). The majority of the respondents (91.5%) did not have any chronic diseases and perceived good mental health (97.8%), and were not undergoing or receiving any medication for mental illness (99%). The findings revealed that the 26-35-year-old group (OR = 1.123, 95% CI 0.453-2.785) recorded a higher probability of developing depression than other age groups. Likewise, females (OR 1.664, 95% CI 00.997- 2.776) respondents were also 1.7 times more likely to exhibit depressive disorder than males. For stress symptoms, the findings revealed that the individuals living in a household of more than 3-5 members (OR 1.356, 95% CI 0.543-3.338) had the greatest risk of developing stress. However, the type of housing was the strongest predictor for depression and anxiety symptoms. Individuals living in townhouses are more likely to develop depression (OR 24.000, 95% CI 1.989- 289.602) and anxiety (OR 192.000, 95% CI 10.504-3509.451). Conclusion: According to sociodemographic variables, young adults, individuals living in larger households, and females were more susceptible to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring the mental health disorders in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic and then offering targeted therapies for the variables that showed the most significance and association with mental health problems.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms. Nor Safa'aton Saidin
Date Deposited:	22 Aug 2023 07:19
Last Modified:	22 Aug 2023 07:19
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1152

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