Psychological Health, Sleep Quality, Behavior, and Internet Use Among People During the Covid-19 Pandemic

A Cross-Sectional Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15522166
AuthorsMuhammed Elhadi (0000-0001-6406-4212, University of Tripoli, corresponding author), Ahmed Alsoufi (0000-0001-6679-4972, University of Tripoli), Ahmed Msherghi (0000-0001-5601-889X, University of Tripoli), Entisar Alshareea (University of Tripoli), Aimen Ashini (0000-0002-5985-4938, University of Tripoli), Taha Nagib (University of Tripoli), Nada Abuzid (University of Tripoli), Sanabel Abodabos (Al Zawiya University), Hind Alrifai (Libyan International Medical University), Eman Gresea (University of Tripoli), Wisal Yahya (University of Benghazi), Duha Ashour (Sebha University), Salma Abomengal (University of Tripoli), Noura Qarqab (University of Tripoli), Amel Albibas (University of Tripoli), Mohamed Anaiba (Misurata University), Hanadi Idheiraj (Sebha University), Hudi Abraheem (Sebha University), Mohammed Ali Fayyad (Al Zawiya University), Mohammed Fayyad, Yosra Alkilani (University of Benghazi), Suhir Alsuwiyah (0000-0003-1059-4431, University of Tripoli), Abdelwahap Elghezewi (University of Tripoli), Ahmed Zaid (0000-0002-1063-2883, University of Tripoli)
Year2021
Volume12
Publication date2021-03-31
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2021.632496
OpenAlexW3147492255
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited65

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the risk of suicide, uncertainty, mental stress, terror, annoyance, weariness, financial issues, and frustration. We aim to determine the prevalence of insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and their associated factors among Libyan populations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil war. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among the Libyan population between July 18 and August 23, 2020. The data collected included basic demographic characteristics, level of education, employment status, COVID-19-related questions, and questions about abuse and domestic violence. This study assessed the psychological status of participants who were screened for anxiety symptoms using the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7). Depressive symptoms were also screened for using the two-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Binomial logistic regression was used to predict the probability of insomnia, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Results: A total of 10,296 responses were recorded. Among the participants, 4,756 (46.2%) obtained a cut-off score of ≥ 3 which indicated depressive symptoms. For anxiety, 1,952 participants (19%) obtained a cut-off score of ≥ 15, which indicated anxiety symptoms. For the ISI, the mean (SD) was 11.4 (6.1) for the following categories: no clinical insomnia (0–7) 3,132 (30.4%), sub-threshold insomnia ( 1 – 7 ) 3,747 (36.4%), moderate severity clinical insomnia ( 8 – 14 ) 2,929 (28.4%), and severe clinical insomnia ( 15 – 21 ) 488 (4.7%). Logistic regression analysis showed that depressive symptoms were statistically associated with age, marital status, education level, occupational category, financial problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, health status, having a COVID-19 infection, current health status, suicide ideation, abuse or domestic violence, and lockdown compliance ( p < 0.05). The regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association between anxiety symptoms and age, education level, occupational status, financial problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, having a COVID-19 infection, health status, suicide ideation, abuse or domestic violence, and lockdown compliance ( p < 0.05). The regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association between insomnia and all study variables with the exception of age, educational level, and occupational status ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Confronted with the COVID-19 outbreak, the Libyan population exhibited high levels of psychological stress manifested in the form of depressive and anxiety symptoms, while one-third of the Libyan population suffered from clinical insomnia. Policymakers need to promote effective measures to reduce mental health issues and improve people's quality of life during the civil war and the COVID-19 pandemic

Anxiety · Cross-sectional study · Depression (economics · Depressive symptoms · Environmental health · Insomnia · Logistic regression · Mental health · Patient Health Questionnaire · Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index · Population · Psychiatry · Sleep quality · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts · Medicine · Psychology · Sleep and related disorders · Internal Medicine