COVID-19 pandemic causing mental trauma

DIMAPUR, SEP 17 (NPN): A recent survey conducted by the state Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department has shown that insomnia, anxiety and depression have gripped a sizeable section of the people of Nagaland during COVID-19 pandemic.

The online mental health and psychosocial wellbeing survey was between June 12 and July 15 in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic. H&FW principal director Dr Vizolie Z Suokhrie said its objective was to assess the prevalence of insomnia (sleep disorder), anxiety, depression and somatization (anxiety leading to physical pain). It was an online survey where any person in Nagaland over the age of 16 years could participate. Standard questionnaires were used – Insomnia Severity Index for insomnia, Patient Health Questionnaire-4 for anxiety and depression, and Somatic Symptoms Scale-8 for somatization. The fear of COVID-19 scale was used to assess the level of the phobia associated with the pandemic.

Altogether 1,127 respondents participated in the study of which 58.2% were males. The mean age of the respondents was 32 years, while 80% of them were graduates or above, 65% were unmarried, 75% lived in urban areas and 82% were living with families. (See table)

Among the respondents, 52% perceived to have low risk of COVID at workplace, 34% at moderate risk and 15% at high risk. While there were respondents from all districts, majority of them were from Kohima (40%) and Dimapur (35%) districts.

Statistical analysis showed that women and respondents with high fear of COVID-19 (as per Fear of COVID score) were found to have significantly higher risk of experiencing insomnia, anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms. Also people in urban areas and people who perceived to have moderate or high risk of exposure to COVID-19 at work place had significantly higher risk of experiencing insomnia.

People below 30 years of age and those with educational qualification below graduation had significantly higher risk of experiencing depression. Frontline workers (medical and non medical) had lower risk of experiencing depression.

Other factors like marital status, living with family/staying alone did not significantly affect the risk of experiencing the common mental health conditions assessed in this survey.

The study was done online with limited scope that aimed to only provide a baseline prevalence data on the common mental health conditions in Nagaland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, District Mental Health Programmes under H&FW department collaborated with All Nagaland Counsellors’ Association (ANCA) to provide telephonic counselling services for any mental health issues like stress, anxiety, depression, etc. People needing assistance can call the toll-free State helpline number 1800 345 0019 and choose option 2, or send a request message through WhatsApp to 7005251298 to avail the service.

Nagaland COVID tally 5306
DIMAPUR, SEP 17 (NPN): Nagaland on Thursday reported 43 COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 5306 cases. According to Health minister, S. Pangnyu Phom 18 cases were detected in Kohima, 24 in Dimapur and 1 in Mon.

Till September 17, there were 1193 active cases, 4079 recovered, 15 deaths* and 19 migrated.

Further, out of the 5,306 positive cases, the distribution across various categories of people include 2484 cases from the armed forces/police, 1421 returnees, 322 frontline workers and 1079 traced contacts.

India reports highest single-day COVID spike
PTI: A record single-day increase of 97,894 infections pushed India’s COVID-19 tally to over 51 lakh, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease crossed 40 lakh on Thursday, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The total coronavirus cases mounted to 51,18,253, while the death toll climbed to 83,198 with the virus claiming 1,132 lives in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The total recoveries surged to 40,25,079 while the active cases of COVID-19 crossed 10 lakh for the first time.

The COVID-19 case fatality rate due to the coronavirus infection was recorded at 1.63 per cent. There are 10,09,976 active cases of COVID-19 in the country which comprises 19.73 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.

India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and and it went past 50 lakh on September 16.

According to the ICMR, a cumulative total of 6,05,65,728 samples have been tested up to September 16 with 11,36,613 samples being tested on Wednesday.

The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

“Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research,” the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/covid-19-pandemic-causing-mental-trauma/221965.html