Levels of Anxiety and Stress during Pandemic of COVID-19 among the General Population of Karachi, Pakistan
Saira Shahnaz *
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nazeer Hussain University Karachi, Pakistan.
. Zeb-Un-Nisa
Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ziauddin University Karachi, Pakistan.
Syed Imran Ali
Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ziauddin University Karachi, Pakistan.
Israr ul Haq
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ziauddin University Karachi, Pakistan.
Hira Akhtar
Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nazeer Hussain University Karachi, Pakistan.
Ijaz Ali
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy the University of Lahore, Lahore Punjab, Pakistan.
Rasheeda Fatima
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ziauddin University Karachi, Pakistan.
Najeeb Khatian
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ziauddin University Karachi, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected not only the physical health, but mental health of general population.
Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the anxiety and levels of stress during COVID-among the population of Karachi.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted for the period of 8 months May 2020-December 2020, the required variables were collected on a questionnaire. Data was analyzed and descriptive statistics was applied using SPSS version 21 with 95% CI.
Results: Out of 450 participants, 45.8% males, 54.2% females. The majority (39.1%) of patients were in group of 51-70 years of age. The levels of anxiety were categories in mild (21.5%), moderate (38.2%) severe (15.2%) and no anxiety (25.1%). The contributing factors in stress and anxiety were the fear (68.3%), panic situation by media (58.5%) and stress due to pandemic (64.2%).
Conclusion: The pandemic of COVID-19 is a stressful situation which needs a proper management and counselling of community regarding the precautionary measures and guidance to control the psychological parameters.
Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic, stress, anxiety