Psychological impact on people Due to Pandemic of Covid-19 in selected Areas of Mumbai

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is defined as an illness caused by a novel coronavirus, now called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; formerly called 2019-nCoV). COVID-19 is an emerging respiratory infection that was first discovered in December 2019, in Wuhan city, Hubei Province, China.1 The 2019-nCoV has close similarity to bat coronaviruses, and it has been postulated that bats are the primary source. While the origin of the 2019-nCoV is still being investigated, current evidence suggests spread to humans occurred via transmission from wild animals illegally sold in the Huainan Seafood Wholesale Market.2 SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the larger family of ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses, leading to infections, from the common cold, to more serious diseases, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).1 The main symptoms of COVID-19 have been identified as fever, dry cough, fatigue, myalgia, shortness of breath, and dyspnoea.1 COVID-19 is characterized by rapid transmission, and can occur by close contact with an infected person.1 COVID-19 has spread widely and rapidly, from Wuhan city, to other parts of the world, threatening the lives of many people 1. By the end of January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a public health emergency of international concern and called for the collaborative effort of all countries, to prevent its rapid spread. Later, the WHO declared COVID-19 a “global pandemic” 1. It is mainly transmitted through respiratory and close contact, which leads to the phenomenon of clustering infection in families and hospitals. Because of the sudden nature of the outbreak and the infectious power of the virus, it will inevitably cause people anxiety, depression and other stress reactions.3 It is necessary to understand and investigate the public psychological states during this tumultuous time.3 The results of the survey are of great practical significance to the information provision, cognition, behavior guidance and psychological support of governments at all levels.3 Understanding and investigating the public psychological states during this tumultuous time is of practical significance.3 Social and family attention and mental health support are essential. 3However, we think that the psychological impact of this pandemic like stress and anxiety among the general population is also a grave concern. Hence, this study attempted to find the psychological impact of COVID 19 on people in selected areas in Mumbai. Objectives: (1) To assess the psychological impact on people due to the pandemic of COVID-19 (2) To find the association between psychological impact and their selected demographic variables (age, gender, religion, marital status, educational status, occupation, family type, income, area of residence, and housing type). Review of literature: 3 sections (1) Studies related to psychological impact of COVID 19 on general population (2) Studies related to psychological impact of COVID 19 on health professionals (3) Studies related to psychological impact of COVID 19 on students. The Conceptual framework for the study was based on Health Promotion Model. Methodology: The Research Design used was descriptive study. The sample size was 200 people from selected areas of Mumbai. The samples were selected by using snow ball method. The data were collected by using self- administered 4 point Likert scale which was developed by the investigators. The tool was validated by 5 experts. Reliability was established by split half method. (r = 0.8). The main study was conducted in selected areas of Mumbai. The data collected were tabulated, analysed and interpreted using statistical test such as chi square. Findings of the study: The findings of the study revealed that there was severe psychological impact due to the pandemic of COVID-19 among the people. There was no significant association between psychological impact and age, sex, religion, marital status, family type, income, area of residence, and housing type except educational status and occupation which were significant (chi square values 21.03) for the psychological impact on the people and the rest of the demographic variables are found to be non-significant. Conclusion: The study concluded by stating the fact that, the psychological impact of people due to the pandemic of covid-19 was severe. The findings, recommendation and conclusion were stated adequately.