Impact on mental health among patients with COVID-19: A study from central India

Objective: The objective of the study is to assess mental health status and the severity of the depression in patients of COVID-19 admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Jabalpur district. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted over a period from April to June 2020 at the NSCB Medical College and Hospital, Jabalpur. Methodology: Out of 150 participants, 135 participants responded whereas 15 patients did not respond as some of them did not answer the calls and remaining did not give their consent. Participants included confirmed COVID-19 cases admitted at a tertiary care hospital, aged 18 years and above. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to determine depression and was completed through telephonic platform survey. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS statistical software was used to analyze the data. P <0.05 and <0.001 with 95% confidence interval was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 135 participants, overall depression was found to be 50.4%, out of which, 29.6% were in mild depression, 8.9% were in moderate depression and 11.8% were in moderately severe to severe depression. Females had approximately four times higher risk for depressive symptoms (P <0.001), and for an age group, more than 45 was found to be significantly associated with depression. Conclusion: The present study suggested that about 50% of the people experienced depression. The significant factors found may reveal that more attention should be given to the mental health of the patients with COVID-19, imperatively with psychological care in the treatment protocol to subdue the effects of the pandemic.