Neighbours of People Who use Nyaope are Anxious Too!

Nyaope is a strongly addictive novel psychoactive substance that is commonly used in predominantly black townships in South Africa. The undesired behaviours of the users result in family members developing mental health challenges. Nyaope users often commit petty crimes, including stealing from families and neighbours. The aim of this study was to quantify anxiety symptoms among family members of nyaope users in Tshwane, South Africa. Data were collected from nine townships within Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. The quantitative cross-sectional survey used the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) tool to quantify anxiety symptoms, and a questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data from a sample of 390 participants. The ages of the participants ranged from 18 years to 87 years, with a mean of 47 years. The mothers to the nyaope users were the biggest group at 35% (n = 138). The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 73% (n = 286) of the total sample and ranged from mild (41.8, n = 163), moderate (14.62, n = 57) and severe (16.92%, n = 66). The Pearson chi-square test identified significant associations between anxiety symptoms and the gender of the participant (p = 0.001), the age of the nyaope user and the period of nyaope use (p = 0.008). Multivariate regression model indicated gender and place of residence as a significant variable in the development of anxiety symptoms (p = 0.01). Nyaope use is a risk factor for the development of anxiety for family members of nyaope users with the highest proportion reporting mild symptoms. There is a need to develop interventions for mental health support for families of nyaope users.

Primary care-based studies examining the prevalence of anxiety symptoms severity and associated factors among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic are scarce. The study aims to determine the prevalence of general anxiety symptoms severity and associated sociodemographic and physical health characteristics, including SARS-CoV-2 infection history, among older adults in primary care in Qatar during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a random sample of older adults aged 60 years and above (n = 337) from all primary health care centers (n = 28) of Qatar's Primary Health Care Corporation. Participants were interviewed via telephone by family physicians between June and August 2020. General anxiety symptoms severity was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7). Descriptive statistics and ordinal regression were used to analyse the data. The mean age of participants was 65 years (ranging from 60 to 89 years), standard deviation = 4.8. About 49.0% and 32.0% of participants were females and of Qatari nationality, respectively. The prevalence of minimal, mild, moderate, and severe general anxiety symptoms was 82.5%, 13.9%, 3.0%, and 0.6%, respectively. Around 33.5%, 63.5%, and 3.0% of participants had unknown, negative, or positive SARS-CoV-2 infection histories, respectively. Females had greater odds of higher levels of anxiety symptoms severity (odds ratio (OR) 2.34; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22, 4.50; p = 0.011). As compared to participants with unknown SARS-CoV-2 infection status, those with a negative and positive SARS-CoV-2 infection history had increased odds of higher levels of general anxiety symptoms severity by 2.48 (95% CI 1.17, 5.24; p = 0.017) and 7.21 (95% CI 1.67, 31.25; p = 0.008), respectively. Age, marital status, living arrangements, nationality, and the number of medical conditions had no statistically significant associations with general anxiety symptoms severity. Most older adults experience minimal to mild anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Female gender and confirmed or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection history are independent predictors of more severe anxiety symptoms among older adults.

BackgroundThe COVID‐19 outbreak has exerted a great deal of psychological pressure on Iranian health workers and the general population. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pandemic on anxiety and depression in Iranian population.MethodsAn online cross‐sectional study was conducted for the general public and healthcare workers in Iran using a questionnaire comprised of demographic questions and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Chi‐square test and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted.ResultsOf the 2045 participants, 1136 (65.6%) were considered to have moderate and severe anxiety symptoms, and 865 (42.3%) had moderate and severe depression symptoms. The prevalence of anxiety was higher in the females than in the males (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.123‐1.643, P = .002); the prevalence of anxiety was significantly higher in those aged 30‐39 years than in other age‐groups (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.123‐2.320, P = .001); furthermore, the prevalence of anxiety and depression was significantly higher in doctors and nurses compared with other occupations ((OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.367‐2.491, P < .001) and (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.154‐2.021, P = .003)). In addition, the prevalence of anxiety symptoms in the likely infected COVID‐19 group was higher than in the noninfected COVID‐19 group (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.093‐1.654, P = .005).ConclusionsRegarding the high prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms, especially among healthcare workers, appropriate psychological/psychiatric intervention necessitates.

This study explored the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among college students and analyzed the associations between only children and anxiety and depressive symptoms in college students in China. A total of 645 college students, from three universities in Jinan, Shandong, China, were investigated by questionnaire. The self-designed general information questionnaire was used to collect the demographic information such as gender, age, only children or not and so on. The Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Self-rating Depression Scale were used to reflect the psychological state of college students. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to analyze associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms. We have found that there were 25.7% college students with anxiety symptom, 22.2% college students with depressive symptom, and 18.3% college students with a comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms. The prevalence of anxiety symptom, depressive symptom, and comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms in only children was higher than those among non-only children. There were no differences between males and females in anxiety symptom, depressive symptom, and comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms among all college students, only child college students and non-only child college students. Only children were associated with anxiety symptom, depressive symptom, comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms after adjusting potential important confounding factors, such as professional category, grade, parental relationship, parenting style, interpersonal relationship, activity participation enthusiasm, sleeping time, and eating habits. The prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among college students was high. We should pay more attention to the mental health of college students, especially that of only child college students.

Humanitarian migration can result in mental health issues among migrants. The objective of our study is to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among migrants and their risk factors. A total of 445 humanitarian migrants in the Orientale region were interviewed. A structured questionnaire was used in face-to-face interviews to collect socio-demographic, migratory, behavioral, clinical, and paraclinical data. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess anxiety and depression symptoms. Risk factors for anxiety and depression symptoms were identified using multivariable logistic regression. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 39.1%, and the prevalence of depression symptoms was 40.0%. Diabetes, refugee status, overcrowding in the home, stress, age between 18 and 20 years, and low monthly income were associated with anxiety symptom. The associated risk factors for depression symptoms were a lack of social support and a low monthly income. Humanitarian migrants have a high prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms. Public policies should address socio-ecological determinants by providing migrants with social support and adequate living conditions.

Background: The rapid spread of Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) infection has been the most important public health crisis across the globe since the end of 2019. Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems among people during the pandemic, and many studies have reported anxiety and depressive symptoms in college students. However, information on the mental health status of international medical students during this critical period of time has been scarce, which hinders the efforts in making proper policy or strategies to help these students. The present study aims to explore the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in international medical students in China and to find out the factors that have potential predictive value for anxiety and depressive symptoms.Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out for international medical students during November 2020 at China Medical University in Shenyang, China. Five hundred and nineteen international students were interviewed with questionnaires containing demographic variables, Stressors in school, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) and Resilience Scale-14 (RS-14). Univariate logistic regression and stepwise multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted where appropriate to explore the predictive factors of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms.Results: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms in the sample population was 28.5% (148/519) and 31.6% (164/519), respectively. Stressors in school (β = 0.176, OR = 1.192, CI: 1.102–1.289), negative coping style (β = 0.639, OR = 1.894, CI: 1.287–2.788) and perceived stress (β = 0.230, OR = 1.258, CI: 1.184–1.337) were found to be the predictors of anxiety symptoms among the international medical students; while gender (β = −0.594, OR = 0.552, CI: 0.315–0.968), stay up late (β = 0.828, OR = 2.288, CI: 1.182–4.431), current place of residence (β = 1.082, OR = 2.951, CI: 1.256–6.931), stressors in the school (β = 0.303, OR = 1.354, CI: 1.266–1.496), negative coping style (β = 0.866, OR = 2.377, CI: 1.516–3.725), perceived stress (β = 0.233, OR = 1.262, CI: 1.180–1.351) were found to be predictors of depressive symptoms.Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms was moderate among international medical students in China. The communal predictors of anxiety and depressive symptoms were stressors in school, negative coping style and perceived stress; while demographic factors such as gender (male), stay up late at night and current place of residence were found associated with depressive symptoms. These results suggest that proper stress management and specific interventions are needed to help students maintain their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

BackgroundAnxiety and depression are common mental health problems among patients with cancer. While many psychological variables have been proven to influence anxiety and depressive symptoms, the variables are not mutually exclusive and their integrated effects on patients with oral cancer are yet unknown. The present study aims to explore the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among patients with oral cancer, to find out key potentially predictive factors associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms.MethodA cross-sectional study was carried out for Chinese patients with oral cancer between May 2016 and October 2017 in two Grade-A Tertiary Hospitals in Shenyang, China. Two hundred thirty patients with oral cancer were interviewed with questionnaires on demographic variables, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Herth Hope Index (HHI), Social Impact Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), and General Perceived Self-efficacy Scale(GSE). Chi-square test, nonparametric test, t-test and logistic regression analyses were conducted where appropriate to explore predictive factors of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms.ResultsThe prevalence of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms in the sample population was 36.96% (85/230) and 65.21% (150/230), respectively. Social isolation dimension of stigma (β = 0.436, OR = 1.547, CI:1.211 ~ 1.975), optimism (β = − 0.276, OR = 0.759, CI:0.624 ~ 0.922), and perceived stress (β = 0.217, OR = 1.243, CI:1.092 ~ 1.414) were predictors of anxiety symptoms. Marriage (β = 1.648, OR = 5.198, CI:1.427 ~ 18.924), positive readiness and expectancy dimension of hope (β = − 0.505, OR = 0.604, CI:0.395 ~ 0.923), social isolation dimension of stigma (β = 0.314, OR = 1.368, CI:1.054 ~ 1.776) and perceived stress (β = 0.273, OR = 1.314, CI:1.134 ~ 1.524) were predictors of depressive symptoms among oral cancer patients.ConclusionThe prevalence of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms was high among oral cancer patients in China. The communal predictors of anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients with oral cancer were levels of perceived stress and social isolation of stigma. In addition, optimism was a predictor of anxiety symptoms and hope was a predictor of depressive symptoms.Trial registration2015–16, registered 20 Dec 2015.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms during pregnancy among women from six districts of China and to explore the determinants of anxiety and depression during pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study of maternal health status was conducted using the probability proportionate to size sampling method among pregnant women from six counties/districts in six provinces of China (Hebei, Liaoning, Fujian, Hunan, Sichuan and Yunnan). A questionnaire was completed by each of the women included in the study from August to December 2014. Women were recruited from three medical and health institutions with the most obstetrics patients in each district. A total of 4 210 pregnant women were included in the investigation. The hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale was applied to measure the symptoms of anxiety and depression in the pregnant women. Trend chi square test was used to assess the differences of anxiety and depression symptom among three trimesters. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to investigate potential contributory factors. Results: The detection rates for anxiety symptoms and depression symptoms during pregnancy were 8.5% (357/4 210) and 12.5% (525/4 210), respectively. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms during the first, second and third trimesters were 7.9% (110/1 392), 8.8% (124/1 413) and 8.8% (123/1 405), respectively (χ2trend=0.89, P= 0.419). The prevalence of depression symptoms during the first, second and third trimesters were 14.0% (195/1 392), 12.6% (178/1 413) and 10.8% (152/1 405), respectively (χ2trend=6.52, P=0.011). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed an increased risk of anxiety and depression in women with an educational background of middle school rather than a college degree (OR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.44-2.63; OR=3.80, 95% CI: 2.45- 5.91). Furthermore, compared with planned pregnancies, women with unplanned pregnancies had a higher risk of anxiety and depression (OR=1.33, 95% CI: 1.06- 1.66; OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.07- 1.71). Pregnant women who felt they lived in crowded residential conditions were at an increased risk of anxiety compared with those living in spacious residential environments (OR=1.82, 95% CI: 1.15- 2.87). Pregnant women with a household income of less than 10 000 yuan were at a higher risk of depression than living in a household with an income of ≥100 000 yuan (OR=1.91, 95% CI: 1.05-3.49). Similarly, multiparous women (≥2) were at higher risk of depression compared with nulliparous women (OR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.04- 3.41). Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms during pregnancy appears to be associated with several demographic factors, along with a women's obstetrical history. Lower educational background, unplanned pregnancy, the feeling of living under crowded residential conditions were all found to be risk factors for anxiety during pregnancy. Similarly, lower educational background, unplanned pregnancy, a lower household income (<10 000) and a greater number of previous deliveries were all risk factors for depression during pregnancy.

Objective: Estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the first wave of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, comparing them with parents of neurotypical children and with other mental disorders. Methods: Responses from 211 participants were collected from an online form about familial behavior during the pandemic, and the Portuguese version of the HADS scale (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Results: Anxiety symptoms were present in 51% of the sample and depression was present in 35.1%. The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms was 58% and 44.4% respectively in the group of parents of children from the ASD; 50.3% e 32.2% for parents of neurotypical children; and 40% and 35% in the group of parents of children with other mental disorders. Conclusions: The prevalence of anxiety and depression in parents during the pandemic was greater than that of before the pandemic period. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms, as well as the mean scores of anxiety and depression symptoms, were significantly higher for the group of parents of children with the ASD. The results point to the need for additional care for parents and caregivers of children with ASD, since the social isolation adopted as a measure to contain the pandemic seemed to pose as a risk factor for negative psychological effects especially in this group.

Background: Estimating the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms among older adults with different health conditions can inform mental health services for this population during the corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Method: A search of 12 scientific databases identified 17 studies with 11,237 Chinese older adults who were infected by COVID-19, were generally healthy, or had chronic illnesses. Meta-analysis was used to estimate the overall prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in these three groups. Assessment criteria, region, and time phase of the pandemic were tested as sources of heterogeneity. Results: With an average risk of bias score of 6.71 (range = 6–8), the majority of included studies employed appropriate statistical methods, used validated measurement tools, and had adequate response rates; however, they might have deficiencies in sample frame, sampling method, and sample size. Within the COVID-19, general, and chronic illness groups, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 27%, 26%, and 61%, respectively, and the prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 14%, 23%, and 85%, respectively. Among generally healthy older adults, anxiety was more prevalent during the Phase 2 (March–April 2020) of the pandemic compared with other time phases. Conclusions: The results have implications for addressing the mental health problems of Chinese older adults, especially those with chronic illnesses, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting reproductive aged women. The prevalence of comorbidities associated with PCOS vary with phenotype and race. An increased risk of moderate and severe depressive and anxiety symptoms has been reported in this group. Racial differences in prevalence of mood disorders described in the general population are influenced by factors such as obesity and socioeconomic status (SES). We aimed to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety and decreased quality of life between black and white women with PCOS and controls. We screened women (18-50 years) at an academic center from November 2015-18 using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and PCOS quality of life survey (PCOSQ). Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate racial differences in the prevalence of depression and anxiety (HADS≥8) and mean scores for depression, anxiety and PCOSQ. Correlations between FG score, testosterone, BMI, HOMA-IR and depression, anxiety and PCOSQ scores were analyzed. Overall women with PCOS (n=272) had a higher prevalence of depressive (26% vs 17%, p<0.01) and anxiety symptoms (72% vs 52%, p<0.01) compared to controls (n=295) after adjusting for age, BMI, SES and race. Compared to black women with PCOS (n=70), white women with PCOS (n=202) had a higher prevalence of anxiety symptoms (76% vs 61%, p=0.01) and scores (10.3 +4.1 vs 8.7 +4.6, p=0.01) after adjusting for age, BMI and SES. BMI correlated with anxiety scores in white but not black women with PCOS (p<0.01). There were no racial differences in the prevalence of depressive symptoms (p=0.8) or mean scores (p=0.4). In the control group, white women (n=186) had a higher prevalence for anxiety symptoms (60% vs 47%, p=0.04) not depressive symptoms (13 % vs 18%, p=0.7) compared to black women (n=109). There were no significant differences in mean anxiety or depression scores in the controls. There were no racial differences in global PCOSQ score (110.7 +30 for white women vs 98.6 +36.1 for black women, p=0.6). On examining the individual domains of the PCOSQ, black women scored lower than white women on the emotion and infertility domain (p<0.01). There were no racial differences in the correlation between FG score, testosterone, HOMA-IR and anxiety, depression and total PCOSQ scores. This study is the first to examine racial differences in anxiety and depressive symptoms in PCOS. White women with PCOS had significantly higher anxiety symptoms compared to black women and BMI positively correlated with these symptoms. Black women however have lower scores in several PCOSQ domains indicating lower quality of life. Despite racial differences in anxiety symptoms, our study confirms the need to screen both races for anxiety and depressive symptoms given their high prevalence. Targeted interventions such as weight management may help mitigate some of these symptoms.

Purpose: Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent in patients with epilepsy (PWE), and these symptoms can even precede the onset of the pathology. We aimed to define the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms at the time of the epilepsy diagnosis and the factors related to their presence in newly diagnosed adult patients.Methods: One hundred and twelve newly diagnosed patients were assessed, usually in the week after diagnosis. Patients were untreated at this time. We used the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E, cut-off ≥15) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item scale (GAD-7, cut-off >7). A semi-structured interview was conducted to collect sociodemographic and epilepsy data and patients' psychiatric history. We first compared patients with and without anxiety symptoms, then patients with and without depressive symptoms.Results: According to the GAD-7 scale, the prevalence of anxiety symptoms at the time of diagnosis was 35%. Patients with anxiety symptoms had significantly more psychiatric history (26%, p = 0.001) and more history of psychological trauma (51%, p = 0.003) than patients with no anxiety symptoms. According to the NDDI-E scores, the prevalence of depressive symptoms at the time of the diagnosis was 11%. Patients with depressive symptoms had significantly more psychiatric history (43%, p < 0.001) and more history of psychological trauma (65%, p = 0.007) than patients with no depressive symptoms. No difference between groups was found for other sociodemographic variables (age and gender), epilepsy characteristics (number of seizures prior to diagnosis, time from first seizure to diagnosis, type of epilepsy, and localization in focal epilepsy), or neurological comorbidities.Conclusions: Anxiety symptoms are common whereas depressive symptoms are less prevalent at the time of diagnosis. It appears essential to be aware of anxiety and depression in newly diagnosed epileptic patients. They should be screened and routinely monitored, especially those patients with a history of psychological trauma and/or psychiatric disorders. Longitudinal follow-up is required to identify whether these factors and anxiety and depression themselves have an impact on the future course of care.

Background and ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors have been shown to affect anxiety levels of young people. We meta-analytically assessed the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents during the pandemic, and the predictors and moderating factors influencing anxiety. MethodsMultiple databases and registers were searched in this PRISMA and MOOSE-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO:CRD42021266695) until 27/06/2021. We included individual studies evaluating the prevalence and characteristics of anxiety symptoms or anxiety disorders in children and adolescents (mean age ≤18 years), during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data extraction and quality assessment were carried out by independent authors. Random-effects meta-analyses of the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) V3. Results74 articles (total participant sample=478,882) were included (mean age=13.4 years, 52.3% female). The pooled rate of children and adolescents fulfilling diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders was 13.0% (95%CI=4.9–30.1); the pooled prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 26.5% (95%CI=20.3–33.9). Anxiety symptoms were significantly more prevalent in females than males (B = 0.103, p<.001), significantly higher during the second wave of COVID-19, following July 2020, than during the first wave, prior to June 2020, (Q= 8.136, p=.017), and during school closure (Q= 8.100, p=.014). Quality of included studies was overall moderate. ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially amongst females. This study identifies vulnerable groups, risk, and protective factors, which is crucial to developing clinical practice to prevent further mental health deterioration in young people.

Racial disparities in the prevalence and determinants of anxiety symptoms among Arab, Asian, Black, Indigenous, White, and Mixed-racial individuals in Canada: The major role of racial discrimination.

To assess the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among patients with somatic diseases in urban China. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out in four major cities of China from June to August in 2004. There were 2111 eligible subjects with Stroke, Parkinson's Disease, Epilepsy, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Functional Dyspepsia, and Menopausal Syndrome, and 317 Post-natal women were recruited from general hospitals. Self-completed hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD) questionnaire was used for screening anxiety and/or depressive symptoms. Subjects with a HAD score of > = 9 were further assessed with Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) by certified psychologists or psychiatrists. The prevalence of "screened" depressive and anxiety symptoms using HAD were 11-19% and 11-22% respectively in patients with above somatic diseases and post-natal women. Assessed by HAMA/HAMD scale, the prevalence of "definite" depressive symptoms was 30%-59% in subjects with "screened" depressive symptoms, and 44%-84% in subjects with "screened" anxiety symptoms. About half of the subjects had co-morbidity depressive and anxiety symptoms. Less than one-fourth of these subjects had ever been diagnosed as depressive/anxiety disorders and been treated prior to the investigation. There is a high prevalence and low diagnosis and treatment rate of depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with these somatic diseases in China.