European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A STUDY ON PERCEIVED STRESS AMONG ASYMPTOMATIC TO MILD COVID POSITIVE INPATIENTS ADMITTED TO A COVID DESIGNATED HOSPITAL

Torsa Das*, Dr. Amitabh Saha, Dr. Alok Chandra, Dr. V.V. Gantait

ABSTRACT

Background – The COVID-19 pandemic has had a global effect on the world population. It has had a strong influence on both the physical and mental health of an individual, especially for those persons who are in the higher age group and have multiple medical comorbidity. Person having Covid infection are more susceptible to develop anxiety and depressive features during infection and hospitalization phase and even after recovery. No study has yet examined the presence of psychiatric comorbidity and the perceived stress that they undergo while being hospitalized which the present study has attempted to cover in the state of West Bengal, India. Aim- We examined the presence of depression, anxiety, perceived stress in asymptomatic to mild Covid positive inpatients of a Covid designated hospital in West Bengal. Method- 60 people, diagnosed with COVID-19 by testing by RT PCR and after taking their informed consent were taken up for the study. Two semi-structured scale comprising of the socio-demographic data sheet and clinical data sheet were administered to them. The Beck Depression Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were administered. After the data compilation was completed it was then assessed using the Statistical Package and Social Sciences Version 25 (SPSS 25.0) for analysis and interpretation. Results- Middle aged individuals with mild symptomatic Covid 19 infection were noted to be having high degree of perceived stress than the young population. Few had history of alcohol, tobacco and cannabinoids use disorder while some fulfilled the criteria for an abuse disorder. It was seen that mild depression, anxiety and perceived stress were present in the participants who were living alone. Conclusion- The results of this cross sectional study suggested that the middle aged people were most affected by the Covid-19. The symptoms increased with age, were noted especially more in people who were having substance use disorder and who were living alone.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, Depression, Anxiety, Perceived Stress, Age, Symptoms.