EPH67 Sleep Disorders, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The aim of our research is to define sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, and stress that can be associated with the coronavirus during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional analysis was carried out in 2021, by non-random sampling (n=222) in Hungary. We applied a questionnaire survey. Group of questions: socio-demographic variables, economic activity during the pandemic and quarantine, health behaviour. Validated questionnaires: Zung self-rating anxiety scale, COVID Stress Scale, Patient health questionnaire, Groningen Sleep Quality questionnaire. In addition to the descriptive statistical analysis χ2-test, Independent t-test, ANOVA were applied (p<0.05) with SPSS software. 18% of patients had moderate to severe depression and 5% had severe depression. Women (66.1%) have a significantly higher rate of depression (p=0.028) than men (33.9%). Physically active (14.3%) p=0.021) and non- or low-smokers had a lower rate of moderate to severe depression than those with no change in physical activity (63.4%) and less exercise (22%). 82.4% of respondents had normal and 17.6% had mild anxiety levels. 58.6% of respondents had sleep disorders. Among those without depression, there was a significantly (p<0.001) lower rate of sleep disorder (30% vs. 37.7%). According to the COVID-19 stress scale, the highest score is observed on the sub-scales for fear of danger (9.5) and related compulsion (7.8). Men (11.29) reported significantly (p<0.001) higher values on the coronavirus fear subscale (7.5) and the xenophobia subscale (3.8). On the subscale of compulsive checks, the stress score of women (7.39) was also significantly (p=0.009) lower than that of men (9.29). Insomnia, anxiety, and depression were very common during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health prevention programs are needed to prevent chronicity and reduce adverse outcomes.