Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: July-September | Volume: 5 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 55-61
Effect of Lockdown during COVID-19: An Indian Perspective
Anjali Miglani
Directorate of AYUSH, Government of NCT of Delhi, New Delhi, India
Chief Medical Officer – NFSG, Directorate of AYUSH, Government of NCT of Delhi, Delhi Government Health Centre, Sector-12, Dwarka, New Delhi – 110077, India.
ABSTRACT
Background: The 2019 corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused havoc worldwide and is a public health emergency of international concern. India is also going through a challenging situation as the number of COVID-19 cases is increasing day by day. The Indian Government imposed strict preventive measures and restrictions in the form of nationwide lockdown on 25th March, 2020 to retard the spread of the virus.
The aim of this study is to survey the general public in India for exploring the impact of lockdown on the mental health of individuals.
Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey design was created using the free software Google Forms®. Survey was conducted from 15th April to 25th April 2020. A total of 5459 individuals met the inclusion criteria and the data is analysed using statistics software IBM SPSS (Version 25). Chi square test has been used to determine correlation between demographic data and mental state in lockdown during Covid-19 pandemic. P value <0.05, is considered significant.
Results: Increased anxiety is seen age group of 41-50 (p value 0.015), 51-60 (p value 0.002), self employed (p value <0.001), persons staying alone (p value <0.001), persons staying in containment zones (p value <0.001) and in persons who knew any positive case in their friend / family circle (p value <0.001). Apprehension of financial loss is statistically significant for self employed (p value <0.001), persons employed in private job (p value <0.001) and those in age group of 31-40 (p value <0.001). Fear of diminishing essential supplies is significant in home makers (p value 0.006). Fear of infection is more in retired persons (p value 0.001) and in age group above 60 years (p value 0.03). Fear of death is significant in persons above 70 years of age (p value 0.007). There is no statistically significant effect on interpersonal relations.
Conclusion: This study shows association between lockdown during COVID-19 and anxiety and other apprehensions in Indian population. These findings need further research to identify communities at high risk of destabilized mental health so that interventions can be planned. Health authorities could consider providing online psycho education through social media or TV programs.
Keywords: COVID-19, Lockdown, Anxiety, Apprehension, Fear