Seroprevalence of Covid-19 and Psychological Distress among Front Liners at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah Campus during the Third Wave of Covid-19

Bibliographic Data

ID15477447
AuthorsMohd Hanafiah Ahmad Hijazi (0000-0001-8119-4764, Universiti of Malaysia Sabah), Mohammad Saffree Jeffree (0000-0002-0373-4451, Universiti of Malaysia Sabah, corresponding author), Nicholas Tze Ping Pang (0000-0003-1659-6374, Universiti of Malaysia Sabah, corresponding author), Syed Sharizman Syed Abdul Rahim (0000-0002-9090-2563, Universiti of Malaysia Sabah), Azizan Omar (0000-0002-3369-4075, Universiti of Malaysia Sabah), Fatimah Ahmedy (0000-0002-5811-4188, Universiti of Malaysia Sabah), Mohd Hanafi Ahmad Hijazi (0000-0003-0431-8967, Universiti of Malaysia Sabah), Mohd Rohaizat Hassan (0000-0002-4658-6532, National University of Malaysia), Rozita Hod (0000-0001-8645-1723, National University of Malaysia), Azmawati Mohammed Nawi (0000-0002-0009-5244, National University of Malaysia), Sylvia Daim (0000-0003-0065-5712, Universiti of Malaysia Sabah), Walton Wider (0000-0002-0369-4082, INTI International University)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue11
Pages6840-6840
Publication date2022-06-02
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19116840
PMID35682422
OpenAlexW4281700326
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited50

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck the globe and disrupted various aspects of psychological wellbeing, more so in frontline workers. Research on assessing the seroprevalence of COVID-19 has been scarce; in addition, there are limited studies assessing the association between the seroprevalence of COVID-19 and psychological distress. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of COVID-19 and the prevalence of psychological distress and to determine whether sociodemographic variables, occupational information variables, coping styles, and psychological processes might contribute to the development of psychological distress. A cross-sectional study involving 168 Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) front liners was carried out to assess these issues. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was employed to assess psychological distress, together with the COVID-19 Rapid Test Kit Antibody (RTK Ab) and a series of questionnaires, including a sociodemographic and occupational information questionnaire, the Balanced Index of Psychological Mindedness (BIPM) questionnaire, the Mindfulness Attention and Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), and the Brief COPE questionnaire. The results demonstrated a seroprevalence of COVID-19 at 8.3% (95% CI = 5.0-14.0). Non-healthcare workers (HCWs) had a higher COVID-19 prevalence. Meanwhile, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among front liners was low (3.0%, 3.6%, and 1.2%, respectively). Younger people (aged 30 years old or less) and HCWs had a higher prevalence of psychological distress; being a HCW was significantly associated with a higher level of anxiety. Dysfunctional coping and psychological inflexibility were consistently found to be predictors for higher levels of the three psychological distress variables. This study suggested some alternatives that could be explored by mental health providers to address mental health issues among front liners at universities

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Antibody · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Front (military · Geography · Mental health · Meteorology · Outbreak · Pandemic · Pathology · Psychiatry · Psychological distress · Seroprevalence · Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 · Sociology · Third wave · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 · Medicine · Immunology · Virology

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