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Depression and Generalized Anxiety as Long-Term Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19 in Iraqi Kurdistan

Author

Listed:
  • Perjan Taha

    (Psychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok 42001, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
    Honorary Visiting Fellow, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.)

  • Arazoo Tahir

    (Community Health, Public Health Department, College of Health and Medical Technology, Shekhan, Duhok Polytechnic University, Duhok 42001, Kurdistan Region, Iraq)

  • Fatima Ahmed

    (Clinical Biochemistry, Medical Laboratory Technology Department, College of Health and Medical Technology, Shekhan, Duhok Polytechnic University, Duhok 42001, Kurdistan Region, Iraq)

  • Runak Radha

    (Biology Department, Shorsh General Hospital, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Sulaymaniyah 46001, Kurdistan Region, Iraq)

  • Ari Taha

    (Cardiac Center, Erbil, Erbil Governorate, Erbil 44001, Kurdistan Region, Iraq)

  • Shameran Slewa-Younan

    (Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 1797, Australia
    Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3010, Australia.)

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with a variety of psychiatric symptoms. However, COVID-19’s association with psychiatric symptoms after the acute illness phase is not fully understood. Thus, this study sought to examine symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety and associated factors in the period following COVID-19 infection. A cross-sectional study design was conducted in three governorates of the Iraqi Kurdistan region. Face-to-face interviews were held between the period of 15 September and 20 December 2021 with both those who had been infected with COVID-19 and those who had not. Depression symptomology was assessed using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire and levels of anxiety were measured using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale. A total of 727 participants were recruited. The bulk of the respondents ( n = 454) reported having a past COVID-19 infection, of whom a considerable proportion (82%) had mild–moderate symptoms. More than half of the infected respondents (53.3%) stated they were treated at home. The mean score of generalized anxiety was higher among the infected group compared to the non-infected group t(725) = 2.538, p = 0.011. Factors such as older age, female gender, unemployment, previous psychological problems, and diabetes mellitus were strongly associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety post-COVID-19 infection. Additionally, anxiety was associated with a longer duration of post-COVID symptoms. The majority of the study population had mild to moderate levels of post-COVID-19 depression and anxiety. Psychological education and interventions are required to reduce the psychological burden of post-COVID-19 symptoms among the general population.

Suggested Citation

  • Perjan Taha & Arazoo Tahir & Fatima Ahmed & Runak Radha & Ari Taha & Shameran Slewa-Younan, 2023. "Depression and Generalized Anxiety as Long-Term Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19 in Iraqi Kurdistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:13:p:6319-:d:1189242
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kevin Linka & Mathias Peirlinck & Francisco Sahli Costabal & Ellen Kuhl, 2020. "Outbreak dynamics of COVID-19 in Europe and the effect of travel restrictions," Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(11), pages 710-717, August.
    2. Kiran Saqib & Afaf Saqib Qureshi & Zahid Ahmad Butt, 2023. "COVID-19, Mental Health, and Chronic Illnesses: A Syndemic Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
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