Despite the implementation of various coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention and control strategies, the rate of COVID-19 is alarmingly increasing in Ethiopia as well as worldwide. The success of COVID-19 prevention measures is highly influenced by a lack of knowledge and misconceptions. This study aimed to assess misconceptions about COVID-19 and associated factors among residents of Dilla Town, southern Ethiopia.

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1 to 30, 2020. Data were collected from 415 individuals using structured interviewer-based questionnaires. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the relationship between the dependent and independent variables.

The proportion of respondents who have a high misconception about COVID-19 was 41.1%. Study participants who had poor knowledge were 2.1 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-3.8) times more likely to have a misconception about COVID-19 than their counterparts. Respondents who had access to information from more than 2 sources were 3.29 (with 95% CI: 1.2-9.2) times less likely to have a misconception about COVID-19 when compared with those who had access to 2 or fewer information sources.

A significant proportion of people have misconceptions about COVID-19 in the study area. To resolve these misconceptions, health sectors and stakeholders need to improve the residents’ knowledge by delivering COVID-19–related information from credible sources on a routine basis.

In addition to physical problems, patients with COVID-19 suffer from considerable stress throughout the disease crisis and could present psychiatric consequences even after their remission.

To assess anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms among patients who had recovered from the acute COVID-19 infection in Tunisia.

A cross-sectional design included 50Tunisian adults who survived COVID-19 virus infection.Participants have been screened with a telephone interview 1 to 3 months after a diagnosis of COVID-19. We used a questionnaire including socio-psychological variables,presence of close relatives being infected, bereavement due to COVID-19 and post infection physical discomforts.The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) was used to investigate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Depression and anxiety were measured using The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales (HADS).

The age of the participants ranged from 19 to 86 years.38%were female. Twelve percent (12%) of patients required hospitalization during COVID-19 infection. After a mean of 86.60 days (SD = 23) following the diagnosis, 28 % of patients reported clinically significant PTSD. The rates of depression and anxiety disorders in our population are 20% and 30%, respectively. Seventy percent of patients (70%) reported one or more post infection physical discomforts that the most common symptoms included Difficulty breathing and anosmia. Patients with PTSD, depression or anxiety had a more frequent history of a relative diagnosed positive for corona virus, a longer duration of infection, and more frequently post-infection physical discomfort

Long-term psychological impact of COVID19 should not be ignored and mental health care could play an important role in rehabilitation.

No significant relationships.

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought with it far-reaching consequences that affect the mental health of a significant population. Those suffering from somatic symptom disorder (SSD) present a significant focus on physical symptoms, with excessive thoughts and behaviours, to an extent that results in major distress and dysfunction. Aggravation of SSD could be associated with various stressors, including the current pandemic, and culminate in an increased severity of the base presentation.

The authors present the case of an elderly man with previous diagnosis of SSD which began to aggravate and evolve into a depressive psychotic state, precipitated by the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The authors conducted a non-systematized literature review with focus on those articles most pertinent to the topic in question as well as presenting a clinical case as compliment.

With the pandemic overwhelming the globe, the literature has demonstrated a significant correlation with aggravation of mental health and psychiatric cases. The patient in question was previously followed in consultation for SSD. With the pandemic acting as precipitating stressor, the patient demonstrated a significant aggravation in his base presentation with the development of psychotic depression. He was subsequently hospitalized with implementation of psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological methods, with remission of the psychotic state, with poor response of the SSD.

External stressors are an important influence on psychiatric disorders. Whenever potential life stressors, especially those that exert influence on a global scale, the psychiatrist should be attentive to the possibility of significant aggravation of a stabilized clinical picture and offer support.

No significant relationships.

Vaccination has proved to be an effective tool in decreasing infectious diseases incidence and their mortality rate. Negative public vaccine attitude can significantly undermine efforts to combat the pandemic that makes vaccine hesitancy one of the WHO main concerns

Examination of the relationships in population between vaccine attributes and COVID-19 personal experience, social and demographic characteristics

Cohort cross-sectional study of the population attitude to vaccination against coronavirus infection COVID-19 was performed online during the first 2 months of mass vaccination in Russia, using the special designed questionnaire assessing social demographic variables, COVID-19 related factors, and preferable sources of information about COVID-19 vaccines. 4977 participants in the age from 18 to 81 years were enrolled in the study to vaccination against coronavirus infection COVID-19 was performed online during the first 2 months of mass vaccination in Russia, using the special designed questionnaire assessing social demographic variables, COVID-19 related factors, and preferable sources of information about COVID-19 vaccines .

34.2% of respondents consider vaccination useful. 31.1% ‑ doubt its effectiveness. 9.9% ‑ consider vaccination unnecessary. 12.2% ‑ dangerous. indifference to vaccination was formed in 7.4% of respondents. They indicated that they do not plan to be vaccinated. 32.3%. postpones their decision until more remote data on the results and effectiveness of vaccination are obtained ‑ 34.0%. were vaccinated at the time of the study ‑ 11.6%.

Attitude towards vaccination depends on age, gender, education, fear of possible complications, coronaphobia. Young people are less focused on vaccination than middle-aged and older people.

No significant relationships.

The 2020 year was the first year of Covid19 pandemy in Serbia. Epidemiological measures introduced to prevent the spread of the infection have shaped both the everyday life of citizens and the way the health system of our country functions. A large number of those infected required the redistribution of health personnel to work in covid zones and therefore the work with non covid patients suffered.

The aim of the study is to process and present the epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized patients at the Clinic for Psychiatry of the Clinical Center of Vojvodina in Novi Sad in 2020.

A retrospective analytical study of the epidemiological type was conducted.

During 2020, a total of 1345 patients were hospitalized at our Clinic, which is over 30% less than during the previous year. Several males, aged 19 to 45, with a predominant diagnosis of psychosis, were hospitalized. Hospitalizations lasted significantly shorter than during the previous year. The number of relapses was significantly lower. Patients with other diagnoses of mental disorders are significantly less often hospitalized, except for those with addiction diseases who are hospitalized in a reduced percentage.

Restrictive epidemiological measures led to a significant reduction in the number of hospitalizations at our Clinic, primarily because patients were prevented from exercising their right to health care, but also because of the mobilization of all healthy defense mechanisms in a collective crisis situation and consequently reduced psychopathological manifestations.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention on the challenges and risks faced by frontline healthcare workers (HCW).

To describe the quality of management of HCW affected by the COVID-19.

This is a cross-sectional study enrolling all HCW of Farhat Hached Academic hospital who had been affected by COVID-19 during the period from september to December 2020.

During the study period, 267 HCW were affected with a mean age of 42.3 ±10 years and a ratio-sex of 0.25. The most represented category was nurses (33.3%) followed by technicians (26.1%). Gynecology department had the highest number of affected HCW (14.4%).The majority of participants (97.4%) reported a medical care. Twelve HCW (4.5%) were hospitalized with an average length of hospital stay of 7.55 ± 6.12 days. The average length of sick leave was 18.68 ± 10.99 days. During the lockdown, 38.6% of HCW took care of their children without any external help. All of the HCW were supported by phone calls from colleagues in 88.4% of cases, the hierarchy in 67.4% of cases, occupational medicine in 60.3% of cases.

The impact of COVID 19 is greater in HCW than in the general population. The affected staff should have a multidimensional management to avoid post covid sequelae in both physical and mental levels.

No significant relationships.

The epidemic of COVID-19 has affected the psychological health of people, especially frontline medical and paramedical staff. Several coping strategies have been used to combat the impact of this virus on their lives.

Describe the impact of coronavirus on mental health and identify coping strategies

We carried out a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, conducted over a period of two months ( september and october 2020), in 22 hospitals in Tunisia, including frontline medical and paramedical staff. To evaluate anxiety and depression, we used the Beck Inventory. To identify coping strategies, we used the Brief COPE.

We collected 78 professionals. The mean age was 29.86+-5.4. The majority were medical residents (67.9%) working in covid units in 39.7% of cases. The rythm of work was daily in almost half of the cases, giving direct care to the patients tested positive in 76.9%. More than half had not received adequate training, and protective equipment was available in only 50% of cases. We found 35.9% of the staff who had to move for fear of infecting their families. More than half of the frontline staff were victims of stigma (57.7%). Depression and anxiety were tested minor in 40%. The most used coping strategy in the face of this distressing virus was social support (64.1%) followed by emotion-focused mechanisms (53,8%). Social support strategy was significantly correlated with prevention of anxiety (p=0.048)

Participants practiced and recommended various coping strategies to deal with stress, depression and anxiety emerging from COVID-19 pandemic.

No significant relationships.

As of August 27th, 2021, the diagnosed cases of COVID 19 in Spain are 4 758 003 with a prevalence of 10.03%. 68.4% of the Spanish population is fully vaccinated

Primary: To compare the prevalence of COVID infection in a cohort of patients with schizophrenia to patients with a dual diagnosis of schizophrenia and substance use disorder Secondary: To compare the rate of fully vaccinated patients diagnosed with schizophrenia with and without a coexisting substance use disorder.

Retrospective descriptive study. The population in study is made up of patients with schizophrenia (46) and dual diagnosis schizophrenia (28) (following DSM 5 criteria) Confirmed cases were those cases with positive PCR

There was not a stadistically significant difference in the prevalence of COVID 19 infection between both groups of patients. The prevalence of COVID infection among the dual diagnosis schizophrenia was 3.57% compared to 6.5% in those without coexisting substance abuse disorder. Relative to vaccination rate, we didn’t find a stadistically significant difference between both groups. However, there was a higher vaccination rate in the dual diagnosis schizophrenia group (82.12%) compared to the non-dual diagnosis schizophrenia group (69.56%)

The prevalence of COVID 19 infection in the dual diagnosis schizophrenia cohort is 3.57% and in the group of patients with schizophrenia without substance abuse disorder is 6,5%. In those with dual diagnosis schizophrenia the vaccination rate was un 82.12%. It was 69.56% in those without coexisting substance abuse disorder.

No significant relationships.

COVID-19 pandemic is the most important health emergency of the 21st century. Since the high number of infected people and as there is still no specific therapy worldwide, the pandemic has been countered through the application of prevention measures based on social distancing and home isolation. These elements are known risk factors for the development of various psychiatric conditions. From a forensic point of view, these pathologies are related to a high suicide rate.

It is no coincidence that during the previous pandemics that have occurred in history there has been a significant increase in suicides. By this work, we therefore want to highlight the psychological consequences of a pandemic and the importance of preventive strategies.

It is important to focus not only on physical well-being but also on the psychological aspects that the pandemic produces in the daily life of each individual

If the infecting agent causes the death of millions of people around the world, the socio-economic context that is created indirectly determines as many deaths.

Therefore it is necessary to underline how it is advisable to implement preventive measures in order to significantly reduce deaths from suicide, a problem with an important impact in the social and forensic fields.

No significant relationships.

The Covid 19 pandemic has had an enormous psychological impact in which women were mentally more affected than men (Berthelot et al 2020 - Liu et al 2020). More over it exacerbated symptoms and suffering in individuals with psychiatric disorders. The question is how did it affect individuals with autism (ASD). And if so, did it affect women and girls more that men and boys or differently.

To evaluate the impact of the covid 19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown in patients with ASD

a combination of literature review and assessement of the population of individuals with autism spectrum disorders in a large specialized unit for individuals with ASD

No seperate reports on individuals with ASD were found in the recent literature. Obviously the pandemic and confinement had great impact on individuals with intellectual disabilities amongst whom many individuals with comorbid developmental disorders as ADHD and/or Autism (e.g.Palacio-Ortiz et al 2020 - Guessoum et al 2020) In our population some remarkable outcomes were noted in the sense that a substantial part of the population with autism had positive experiences: e.g. clear social rules / less contact. Males enjoyed more online contact and games / experienced less loneliness - In females we found significantly more depressive symptoms, anxiety and suicidal behaviour.

Covid 19 has had a great psychological impact with marked gender differences. Remarkably in ASD men enjoyed some of the benefits of the confinement. In women with ASD the emotional impact was significantly higher.

No significant relationships.

The current period is marked by several negative aspects of the COVID 19 pandemic, which have led to a series of emotional and cognitive changes that affect our functioning. The ability to “read” the minds of others is the key aspect of social behavior, helping us understand our context.

To identify the level of emotion recognition in Medicine students during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Throughout 2021, we evaluated 649 Romanian General Medicine students in years 4, 5 and 6, by using a Google Play application (android and iOS). We analyzed socio-demographic parameters and the affective component of Theory of Mind (The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test). The mean scores between groups were compared with the Student’s t and the ANOVA tests.

The mean score was 25.83 ± 3.36 (min 11, max 33) out of a possible maximum of 36. We noted that women have a higher capacity for recognizing emotions than men (26.04 ± 3.22 vs. 25.01 ± 3.78, P = 0.0016) without differences in terms of the study year. Also, women showed a greater ability to recognize negative emotions compared to men (16.57 ± 2.44 vs. 15.49 ± 2.75, P <0.001). No statistically significant differences were found between the two genders in terms of positive emotions’ recognition.

The ability to recognize emotions seems to be more developed in women, especially when it entails recognizing negative emotions. Theory of Mind abilities are important for empathy and the therapeutic relationship required in Medicine.

No significant relationships.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been reported as a worldwide emergency. Due to the extensiveness of spread and death, it has been declared as a pandemic.

To highlight how COVID-19 pandemic psycho-emotional affects the medical staff of a frontline University Hospital in the “battle” with new coronavirus.

We employed a cross-sectional survey of 71 resident doctors from a frontline Hospital after a one-year pandemic and analyzed the prevalence and associated factors with work-related psychological distress among our study group.

Out of the hospital resident doctors, 71 participated and completed the questionnaire, offering an overall response rate of 100%. The majority of participants were women (86% - 61). The average age was 29 years. Most respondents were unmarried. A total of 67% of participants were non-smokers, 5% stated that they occasionally consumed alcohol, none of them used drugs. As a result of the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the data, aspects related to anxiety (21.12% - 15), exhaustion (15.49% - 11), and depression (11.26% - 8) are highlighted. In our study, no people were identified who would reach extreme exhaustion in the work process, due to good resilience and due to a well thought out program of work and rest during the pandemic.

The psychological pressure at work, as well as the one felt after limiting and restricting mobility for shorter or longer periods, had an impact on the psycho-emotional state of health care workers, requiring further psychological reassessments and psychological support.

No significant relationships.

During the course of COVID-19 pandemic, The respiratory system is the most commonly affected while many neuropsychiatric manifestations of the disease have been observed.

Emphasize the importance of eliminating the diagnosis of covid 19 infection in a pandemic context face to first episode psychosis.

Presentation of case report

A 29-year-old woman unemployed married with no personal medical history and with psychiatric family history. She wasn’t exposed to subject with covid 19 in her family circle. She was admitted in psychiatric care for acute behavioural disorders during five days. On physical examination: she was afebrile, eupneic and tachycardiac. Oxygen saturation was 96% and blood pressure was 100/50 mmHg. Specialized neurological examination was normal and cerebral CT scan was without abnormalities. At the psychiatric interview she was extremely agitated. She was distressed her speech was incoherent. She had auditory and visual hallucinations and a multi-thematic delirium. One day after her admission she died suddenly, the autopsy found positive RT PCR covid test and bilateral basal pneumonia.

In individuals presenting with new-onset psychosis in areas endemic to COVID-19, consideration should be made for neuropsychiatric manifestations of Covid 19 from where the importance to push the explorations and to test the patients.

No significant relationships.

The COVID19 pandemic came with unprecedented measures that impacted every aspect of the student’s life making them vulnerable to psychological distress.

The aim of this study was to assess anxiety and depressive symptoms in relation to the coping strategies during the COVID19 pandemic among medical students.

We conducted a web-based cross-sectional study among Tunisian medical students. We used an anonymous survey comprising sociodemographic characteristics, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and the brief COPE.

A total of 216 students participated in the study; 78% were female and most respondents were enrolled in first and second year of medical studies (53%). The frequency of depressive and anxiety symptoms were respectively 28% and 40%; females experienced significantly higher depression and anxiety scores (p<10¯³ and p=0.02 respectively). Most used coping strategies were self-blame, planning, acceptance, distraction, positive reframing, active coping and religion (99%-96%). The least used coping strategies were substance use (13%) and denial (52%). We found that gender was associated with a significant difference in the coping styles where females scored higher on religious coping and denial whereas males used more humor coping. Depression and anxiety were significantly associated with denial coping. Humor, acceptance, positive reframing and active coping were significantly associated with lower depression rates. Humor coping and active coping were associated with lower anxiety rates.

Our study shows alarming rates of depression and anxiety among Tunisian medical students during the COVID19 pandemic. A targeted intervention to promote mental health using the coping styles might be useful in this population.

No significant relationships.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 4,745,519 cases, 396,878 hospitalizations and 82,884 deaths with COVID-19 have been reported in Spain. As of August 24, 2021, 76.4% of Andalusians over 12 years of age have the complete vaccination regimen.

Main: to calculate the prevalence of COVID 19 infection, clinical evolution, and vaccination rate in a population of patients diagnosed with dual bipolar disorder. Secondary: compare these data with those obtained inpatients diagnosed with non-dual bipolar disorder.

Retrospective descriptive study. The study population is made up of patients diagnosed with dual bipolar disorder and non-dual bipolar disorder (according to DSM 5 criteria). Infection, admission, death, and vaccination data were obtained from the patient’s medical history.

Of the 7 patients diagnosed with dual bipolar disorder, the prevalence of COVID 19 infection, since the beginning of the pandemic is 0% and of the 21 patients diagnosed with non-dual bipolar disorder the prevalence is 9.51% (2/21). Of the patients with COVID 19 infection, none required hospital admission and no deaths occurred. The vaccination rate in the group of patients with dual bipolar disorder is 85,71% (6/7) and in the group of non-dual bipolar disorder is 61.91% (13/21), no finding statistically significant differences between both groups.

In our study the prevalence of COVID 19 infection inpatients diagnosed with dual bipolar disorder is 0% and the vaccination rate is 85.71%. While in patients with non-dual bipolar disorder the prevalence is 9.51%, there were no admissions, no deaths and the vaccination rate is 61.91%.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected ones well-being. ICU healthcare providers are particularly concerned by this impact which includes physical, mental and socioeconomic repercussions. Others health dimensions could be deeply affected but not well explored such as the psycho-sexual status.

The aim of this study was to assess sexual health status among ICU healthcare providers.

This was a cross-sectional study enrolling Tunisian ICU healthcare providers and conducted between July and September 2021. Data collection was based on a self-administrated questionnaire. To assess sexuality, Arabic validated versions of the IIEF-15 and the FSFI was used for male and female respectively. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale and the Rosenberg Self-esteem questionnaire were also used.

Twenty ICU workers (13 physicians and 7 nurses) were enrolled. The mean age was 28.2 years and the sex ratio was 2.3. All participants were involved in COVID-19 crisis management and 80 % reported an increase in their workload. The mean Rosenberg scale was 27 suggesting a low self-esteem. The mean Covid19 Fear Scale was 26 ± 2. For the IIEF-15 the mean score was 17 ± 3 (moderate erectyl dysfunction) and the most damaged dimension was the intercourse satisfaction. For the FSFI scale, the mean was 23 ± 5 witch (a low sexual dysfunction). A high sexual desire with a lack in the satisfaction dimension was reported in 90% of cases. Only 4 participants have consulted a sexologist.

COVID-19 has a serious sexual impact in ICU healthcare providers justifying urgent psychological interventions.

No significant relationships.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 4,745,519 cases, 396,878 hospitalizations and 82,884 deaths with COVID-19 have been reported in Spain. As of August 24, 2021, 76.4% of Andalusians over 12 years of age have the complete vaccination regimen

Main: to calculate the prevalence of COVID 19 infection, clinical evolution and vaccination rate in a population of patients diagnosed with dual depression. Secondary: compare these data with those obtained in patients diagnosed with non-dual depression

Retrospective descriptive study. The study population is made up of patients diagnosed with dual depression and non-dual depression (according to DSM 5 criterion). Infection, admission, death, and vaccination data were obtained from the patient’s medical history

Of the 10 patients diagnosed with dual depression, the prevalence of COVID 19 infection, since the beginning of the pandemic is 0% and of the 30 patients diagnosed with non-dual depression the prevalence is 3.33% (1/28). Of the patients with COVID 19 infection, none required hospital admission and no deaths occurred. The vaccination rate in the group of patients with dual depression is 30% (3/10) and in the group of non-dual depression is 86.66% (26/30), finding statistically significant differences (P<0.01) between both groups.

In our study the prevalence of COVID 19 infection in patients diagnosed with dual depression is 0% and the vaccination rate is 30%. While in patients with non-dual depression the prevalence is 3.33%, there were no admissions, no deaths and the vaccination rate is 86.66%.

No significant relationships.