Fear and depression during the COVID-19 outbreak in Cameroon: a nation-wide observational study.
COVID-19
Cameroon
Depression
FCV-19S
Fear
PHQ-9
Journal
BMC psychiatry
ISSN: 1471-244X
Titre abrégé: BMC Psychiatry
Pays: England
ID NLM: 100968559
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
15 07 2021
15 07 2021
Historique:
received:
28
01
2021
accepted:
24
05
2021
entrez:
16
7
2021
pubmed:
17
7
2021
medline:
22
7
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with significant psychological and social distress worldwide. We investigated fear and depression among adults in Cameroon during different phases of the COVID-19 outbreak. An online survey was conducted in Cameroon from June-December 2020 using a structured questionnaire. Socio-demographic data and information regarding COVID-19 history were obtained. Fear and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Fear of COVID-19 score (FCV-19S) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), respectively. Responses were clustered in weeks to better appreciate their evolution over time. Overall, 7381 responses from all ten regions of Cameroon were analysed (median age: 30 years, 73.3% male). The prevalence of depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10) was 8.4%, and that of high fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S scores ≥19) was 57.4%. These rates were similar across genders, age-groups, and region of residence. While mean weekly PHQ-9 scores remained fairly stable throughout the study period (range: 2.53-3.21; p = 0.101), mean FCV-19S scores were highest during the early weeks but decreased significantly thereafter (from 20.31 to 18.34; p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed that having a postgraduate degree, a history of quarantine, flu-like symptoms during the past 14 days, and higher FCV-19S scores were associated with more severe depressive symptoms, while obtaining COVID-19 information from various sources reduced the odds for depression. Depression amidst the COVID-19 crisis is less prevalent in Cameroon than in other countries. Prompt and widespread dissemination of adequate COVID-19 information may reduce the risks for depression by dispelling fear and anxiety among Cameroonians.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with significant psychological and social distress worldwide. We investigated fear and depression among adults in Cameroon during different phases of the COVID-19 outbreak.
METHODS
An online survey was conducted in Cameroon from June-December 2020 using a structured questionnaire. Socio-demographic data and information regarding COVID-19 history were obtained. Fear and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Fear of COVID-19 score (FCV-19S) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), respectively. Responses were clustered in weeks to better appreciate their evolution over time.
RESULTS
Overall, 7381 responses from all ten regions of Cameroon were analysed (median age: 30 years, 73.3% male). The prevalence of depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10) was 8.4%, and that of high fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S scores ≥19) was 57.4%. These rates were similar across genders, age-groups, and region of residence. While mean weekly PHQ-9 scores remained fairly stable throughout the study period (range: 2.53-3.21; p = 0.101), mean FCV-19S scores were highest during the early weeks but decreased significantly thereafter (from 20.31 to 18.34; p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed that having a postgraduate degree, a history of quarantine, flu-like symptoms during the past 14 days, and higher FCV-19S scores were associated with more severe depressive symptoms, while obtaining COVID-19 information from various sources reduced the odds for depression.
CONCLUSION
Depression amidst the COVID-19 crisis is less prevalent in Cameroon than in other countries. Prompt and widespread dissemination of adequate COVID-19 information may reduce the risks for depression by dispelling fear and anxiety among Cameroonians.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34266400
doi: 10.1186/s12888-021-03323-x
pii: 10.1186/s12888-021-03323-x
pmc: PMC8280628
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Observational Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
356Subventions
Organisme : European Research Council
Pays : International
Informations de copyright
© 2021. The Author(s).
Références
Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 12;8(1):2861
pubmed: 29434331
Evol Psychiatr (Paris). 2021 Mar;86(1):131-139
pubmed: 33318714
BMJ. 2021 Jan 18;372:n137
pubmed: 33461963
Lancet Psychiatry. 2021 Feb;8(2):130-140
pubmed: 33181098
BMC Psychiatry. 2020 Jul 17;20(1):379
pubmed: 32680478
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2021 Jan 13;:
pubmed: 33438002
Front Psychol. 2020 Oct 06;11:559819
pubmed: 33117227
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 May 25;17(10):
pubmed: 32466251
Brain Behav Immun. 2020 Jul;87:167-169
pubmed: 32413557
Pan Afr Med J. 2020 Oct 01;37(Suppl 1):19
pubmed: 33343798
PLoS One. 2017 Feb 23;12(2):e0171956
pubmed: 28231258
Emerg Infect Dis. 2004 Jul;10(7):1206-12
pubmed: 15324539
PLoS One. 2020 Aug 6;15(8):e0237301
pubmed: 32760131
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Sep 17;17(18):
pubmed: 32957702
J Affect Disord. 2012 Dec 20;143(1-3):208-13
pubmed: 22840467
JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Sep 1;3(9):e2019686
pubmed: 32876685
Front Psychol. 2020 Aug 13;11:2065
pubmed: 32903586
Front Psychiatry. 2020 Aug 19;11:821
pubmed: 32973575
Ann Med Psychol (Paris). 2021 Feb;179(2):141-146
pubmed: 32863388
Int J Ment Health Addict. 2020 May 15;:1-6
pubmed: 32427168
Global Health. 2020 Jul 6;16(1):57
pubmed: 32631403
Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2020 Sep;74(9):505-506
pubmed: 32609413
Int J Ment Health Addict. 2020 Mar 27;:1-9
pubmed: 32226353
Lancet Psychiatry. 2020 Oct;7(10):e62-e63
pubmed: 32949524
J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2020 Oct 26;:1-12
pubmed: 33134211
Brain Behav Immun. 2020 Jul;87:172-176
pubmed: 32405150
Global Health. 2020 Sep 25;16(1):89
pubmed: 32977818
Lancet. 2020 Mar 14;395(10227):912-920
pubmed: 32112714
Eur J Psychiatry. 2020 Oct-Dec;34(4):223-224
pubmed: 32836611
Lancet Psychiatry. 2020 Mar;7(3):228-229
pubmed: 32032543
Med Care. 2003 Nov;41(11):1284-92
pubmed: 14583691
Asia Pac Psychiatry. 2020 Oct 21;:e12427
pubmed: 33089622