Anxiety and depression among individuals in mandatory institutional quarantine in Tunisia

Abstract

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging public health issue that have impacted people's health and livelihoods worldwide. Restrictive measures, such as quarantine, have been implemented in many countries in order to limit the spread of the virus. We aimed in this study to assess the impact of institutional mandatory quarantine on mental health in Tunisia and to determine factors associated with the occurrence of anxiety and or depression. Methods A cross sectional phone survey was conducted in Tunisia from April to November 2020 among people who were placed in mandatory institutional quarantine. Generalized anxiety disorder and depression were assessed using the Generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7) and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine factors associated with the occurrence of depression and or anxiety symptoms. Results In the present study, 506 participants were enrolled with an age ranging from 18 to 83 years and a sex ratio equal to 1.9. More than third of participants (38.3%) had experienced anxiety and/or depressive symptoms. Being a woman, younger age, being a student, spending longer time on COVID-19 news, fear of infection in the quarantine facility, having experienced stigma, financial struggle due to the COVID-19 pandemic and dissatisfaction by the accommodations conditions of the quarantine facility were independently associated with occurrence of depression and or anxiety symptoms. Conclusions A high percentage of participants have experienced anxiety or depressive symptoms during the quarantine period. Providing mental health support and updated and relevant information to quarantined individuals is necessary. Improving the accommodation conditions in the quarantine facilities is also needed. Key messages More than third of participants had experienced anxiety and/or depressive symptoms. Good quality communication and mental health support are necessary in quarantine facilities.