bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of sleep among healthcare workers treating patients with coronavirus disease-19
Authors: Omrane A. , Touil I. , Sghaier E. , Jaoued O. , Chelly J. , EL Arbi F. , Fkih Hassen M. , Mergheli S. , Knani J. , Khalfallah T.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Since the declaration of the first Covid-19 case on December 08th ,2019, and to curb the spread of this pandemic, each country and notably Tunisia, has implemented a preventive strategy dominated by general lockdowns in accordance with social distancing and basic hygiene measures. These measures were not applicable in the health care sector as health care workers are at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19. This condition affects not only their physical health caused by elevated workload, but also their mental health causing anxiety, fear, and depression. Previous studies have reported that health care professionals feel stigmatized, experience high levels of anxiety and symptoms of depression, and have sleep problems. Impaired Quality of Sleep (QoS) can affect their efficiency in providing medical services and adequate psychological support for patients suffering from COVID-19.

Objectives

To evaluate the QoS among health care professionals treating patients with COVID-19 and quantifying the symptoms of depression and levels of anxiety.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 75 health care professionals matched by age and sex working in public hospital Taher Sfar Mahdia. The study was based in a self administred, French language questionnaire containing three validated questionnaires: 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Scale, 9-items Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and additional survey constructed for the purpose of the study.

Results

Healthcare professional treating COVID-19 patients (Group I) group was predominately females mean aged of 32.67±7.04. The health professionals treating COVID-19 patients had poorer Quality of Sleep; Pittsburgh score 10.6 ± 742 vs 7.89 ± 6.14 in the group not treating COVID-19 patients ( p=0.001). Levels of anxiety and depression were significantly higher in the group I (respectively p=0.005 and 0.03). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that higher scores on GAD (beta = .809, p < .01) and the lower one was the number of persons in charge (beta = –0.632; p < .01) were independent predictors of a poorer quality of sleep

Conclusions

This study has revealed the heavy mental health burden health care professionals treating infected patients in Tunisia during the COVID-19 pandemic are exposed to. Providing early psychological support and a psychologically safe environment for these healthcare workers may alleviate their stress and, consequently, ameliorate their QoS. More attention should be devoted to their quality of sleep and work schedules. In many countries, online training, telehealth supports, behavioral group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based therapy have been deployed for frontier Healthcare workers and have proven effective in such circumstances.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Cost-utility of tDCS in depression treatment
Authors: Sauvaget A.
Published: August 2023

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders causing considerable economic burden. However, the current treatment as usual, pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, provides unsatisfactory treatment outcome for majority of the patients and in most cases fails to prevent treatment resistance and chronicity. tDCS, has emerged as a new neuromodulation treatment and has shown efficacy in depressed patients. To provide important insight to the payers, the cost-utility of tDCS in comparison to treatment as usual, should be clarified.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The social stigma and psychological impact in post COVID 19
Authors: Halouani N. , Gdoura D. , Bouattour O. , Turki M. , Moussa N. , Ellouze S. , Aloulou J.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID19) is a contagious disease. Infected patients are not only the vectors of the disease but also often the victim of the social stigma attached to it.

Objectives

To assess the social stigma perceived by post-COVID19 patients.

Methods

This is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study that took place during the period from 1st March to 15th May 2021 with 154 patients who were hospitalized at the COVID19 unit at Hedi Chaker Hospital in Sfax.

The anxiodepressive disorders were screened using the “Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale”. Post-traumatic stress disorder was assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised.

Perceived stigma due to COVID19 was assessed by items from the psychometric tool: self-reported instrument measuring COVID19-related stigma.

Results

The mean age was 66.62 ± 13.34 years. Male patients represented 60.4% of the study population.

In our study, the prevalence of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder was 24.7%, 11% and 13.6% respectively.

In our study, 21.4% of the participants felt discrimination and social stigma, especially from neighbors (18.2%).

Anxiety was statistically correlated with the presence of stigma related to COVID19.

We have a highly significant relationship between depression and stigma. (p=0.002)

No correlation was found between stigma and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Conclusions

In addition to social stigma, people with COVID 19 may perceive themselves as different from normal in terms of physical or mental abilities, leading to a high likelihood of self-stigma and social isolation.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Domestic Abuse Against Turkish Immigrant Women in Germany
Authors: Cindik-Herbrüggen D. E. D.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The most common but most hidden form of violence against women is domestic violence. One out of every three women in the world is exposed to physical, psychological or sexual violence by her close partner at any time in her life (Ünal and Gülseren, 2020). As a result of the social isolation measures and quarantine regulations brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, reports of domestic violence against women have increased.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychological violence, psychological maltreatment and depression, anxiety among Turkish immigrant women living in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

The Profile of Psychological Abuse of Women, Psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) Scale, and The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were delivered to participants.

Results

Our results show that participants who had been exposed to psychological abuse and domestic violence reported to have higher depression and anxiety scores. Furthermore, participants with low income and married to spouses with no formal education or only primary school graduates were reported to have higher depression, anxiety, domestic abuse and psychological maltreatment scores during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrated that Turkish immigrant women who had experienced psychological abuse and domestic violence by their partners during the pandemic were reported to have higher depression and anxiety.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Health Locus of Control and Health Anxiety in Patients with COVID-19
Authors: Semenova E. R. , Deshchenko E. , Pervichko E. , Konyukhovskaya J.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Perceived sense of control over one’s health contributes to determining health-related behaviors and an individual’s health status. Therefore, it may enhance vulnerability to health anxiety in response to COVID-19 and influence implementation of preventive strategies and adherence to them. Health anxiety may serve as one of the factors that increase the perception of COVID-19 as dangerous and life-threatening. We hypothesized that external health locus of control may demonstrate a connection with higher levels of health anxiety, whereas internal health locus of control may be considered a protective factor alongside some personality traits due to its role in determination of coping strategies.

Objectives

To assess health locus of control (HLC) in patients with COVID-19 and evaluate its connection with the levels of health anxiety.

Methods

The study has involved 62 participants, average age is 23,4±8,2, with 36 of them being diagnosed with COVID-19 one or more times, average age is 24,5±8,9, whereas 26 of them were healthy, average age is 21,8±7,1. The following methods were used: Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (modified for COVID-19), Perceived Stress Scale, the state scale from the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Short Health Anxiety Inventory, Illness- and Treatment-Related Locus of Control Scale, HEXACO-24 Personality Inventory, Self-Government Test.

Results

COVID-19 patients differed from healthy participants by the following parameters: perceived danger of COVID-19 (31,53±9,51 vs 33,92±11,5; p>0,05); perceived stress (28±8,68 vs 26,5±7,3; p>0,05); state anxiety level (23,3±11,1 vs 25,1±12,5; p>0,05); health anxiety (14,3±6,76 vs 13,8±5,7; p>0,05); internal HLC (18,8±3,24 vs 17,8±4,67; p>0,05); external HLC (5,97±1,89 vs 5,81±1,92; p>0,05); extraversion (11,8±3,36 vs 13,10±3,71; p>0,05).

Correlation analysis has revealed mild positive correlations between health anxiety level and both external HLC (0,32; p<0,05) and chance HLC (0,25; p<0,05), mild negative correlation between health anxiety and internal HLC (-0,18; p>0,05). Analysis of COVID-19 related variables found that health anxiety levels were positively correlated with perceived danger of coronavirus disease (0,37; p<0,01), perceived stress (0,59; p<0,001) in the whole sample. Negative correlation was observed between extraversion and health anxiety (-0,49; p<0,05) in the group of COVID-19 patients.

Conclusions

The results obtained in our study demonstrate the connection of the higher levels of health anxiety in COVID-19 patients with more external orientation of HLC. The connection between extraversion and health anxiety is also observed. Our study indicates that participants diagnosed with COVID-19 one or more times tend to have higher health anxiety levels in comparison to healthy participants.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The Role of COVID-19 Pandemic Anxiety and Perceptions in COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Semenova E. R. , Konyukhovskaya J. , Sviridova S. , Pervichko E. , Stepanova O. , Mitina O. , Shishkova I.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Since stress and anxiety are significant manifestations of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, we studied their role in making a decision about vaccination.

Objectives

To study the relationship between the intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with health anxiety and stress levels.

Methods

The methodological complex includes the author’s socio-demographic questionnaire (Pervichko, 2020, 2021, 2022); the questionnaire “Scale of perceived stress-10” (Ababkov, 2016); the questionnaire “Perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic” (Pervichko et al., 2020), developed on the basis of the Russian-language version of the E. Broadbent’s short questionnaire about the perception of disease (Broadbent, 2006); the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) (Spielberger, 2002) and the “Short Health Anxiety Inventory” (Pervichko et al., 2020).

The study involved 232 respondents who did not have COVID-19 (average age – 29.1 ± 13.7 years). Among the respondents, 68.5% have already been vaccinated, 23.3% do not plan to be vaccinated and 8.2% plan to perform the procedure.

Results

The methodological complex includes the author’s socio-demographic questionnaire (Pervichko, 2020, 2021, 2022); the questionnaire “Scale of perceived stress-10” (Ababkov, 2016); the questionnaire “Perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic” (Pervichko et al., 2020), developed on the basis of the Russian-language version of the E. Broadbent’s short questionnaire about the perception of disease (Broadbent, 2006); the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) (Spielberger, 2002) and the “Short Health Anxiety Inventory” (Pervichko et al., 2020).

The study involved 232 respondents who did not have COVID-19 (average age – 29.1 ± 13.7 years). Among the respondents, 68.5% have already been vaccinated, 23.3% do not plan to be vaccinated and 8.2% plan to perform the procedure.

Conclusions

Higher health anxiety, situational anxiety, perceived stress, and greater perceived life threat due to coronavirus contribute to COVID-19 immunization procedures, which is accompanied by perceptions of greater control of the pandemic.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
tDCS home based treatment following accelerated dTMS in the elderly depressed
Authors: Baeken C.
Published: August 2023

With a growing number of elderly persons, geriatric depression - associated with important morbidity and mortality- is becoming a significant health problem. Given the risk of polypharmacy and increased side effects, alternative non pharmaceutical treatments such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may be solution. Recently, the FDA approved deep brain TMS (dTMS) for depression, not only stimulating deeper cortical areas but response and remission rates may be better, especially in elderly populations. Nevertheless, beneficial follow-up options following rTMS treatment remains to be determined. Therefore, one week after the last accelerated dTMS, all patients followed a 3 week open label tDCS with a home-use device. Study rationale and preliminary findings will be discussed.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The Same Day on Repeat: A Unique Case of Persistent Déjà Vu Phenomenon as a Long COVID Symptom in an Older Adult
Authors: Jileaeva I. , Bakre S. , Huff L. , Ratnakaran B.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Déjà vu is a condition characterized by the experience of recognizing a current situation as familiar with the awareness that the recognition is inappropriate (Pasic et al. Psychiatria Danubina; 30, 21–25). This phenomenon has been well described in temporal lobe epilepsy, and is thought to be caused by abnormal synchronization in the corticolimbic network. While the etiology of neuropsychiatric symptoms in long COVID is still not well demarcated, studies have found that the virus attacks the temporal lobe and limbic system; therefore, we suggest that the ongoing symptoms of déjà vu, in this case, may be a manifestation of long COVID.

Objectives

To illustrate a unique case of persistent déjà vu after severe infection with COVID-19 virus.

Methods

The patient is a 79-year-old female with a pertinent past medical history of generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and prior hospitalization for delirium who presented with a chief complaint of being tired of living the same day. The patient was hospitalized eight months prior for a severe COVID-19 infection that now requires continuous oxygen therapy. Since leaving the hospital, the patient began to develop episodic confusion, memory impairment, and tinnitus which gradually improved. However, the patient developed severe distress due to a constant feeling of déjà vu characterized by a sense of familiarity with events in her daily life. There was no history of loss of consciousness, abnormal involuntary movements, or other semiology related to seizures. Due to distress caused by the déjà vu symptoms, the patient also endorsed depression, anxiety, and insomnia, with deterioration of quality of life.

Results

MRI showed mild volume loss and multifocal regions, including bilateral temporal lobes, of subcortical and periventricular high T2/FLAIR signal abnormality consistent with chronic white matter microangiopathy. MOCA score was 24/30, and the dissociative experiences scale score was 15.36/100. The patient continues to be treated for her depression, insomnia and anxiety with escitalopram 10mg daily and mirtazapine 7.5mg at night as a neuropsychological assessment and electroencephalogram are done.

Conclusions

The incidence of neurological symptoms is more than 80% in severe cases of COVID-19 (Douaud et al. Nature; 604,697–707). This patient was likely predisposed to developing these symptoms due to her age and psychiatric history. Déjà vu occurs in temporal lobe epilepsy, schizophrenia, and depersonalization disorders, all of which affect the limbic-temporal lobe networks (Pasic et al. Psychiatria Danubina; 30, 21–25). Signal abnormalities in the medial temporal lobe are one of the findings seen on MRI in patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms after severe COVID-19 infection. We propose that the persistent déjà vu phenomenon along with cognitive impairments described in this case are manifestations of long COVID.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The association between the well-being and workability among university staff during the COVID‑19 pandemic
Authors: Sellami I. , Abbes A. , Haddar A. , Kotti N. , Masmoudi M. L. , Jmal Hammami K. , Hajjaji M.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on educational systems and the well-being of the university staff. The mental health of university staff can affect their ability to work.

Objectives

Our study aimed to assess the association between the well-being of university staff and their workability during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study among university staff in Sfax, Tunisia. We collected data between September and October 2021 using a self-administered questionnaire including socio-professional characteristics, the Work Ability Score (WAS) and the Arabic version of the Mental Health Continuum-Short form.

Results

Our sample was composed of 62 university staff. The respondents’ mean age was 51.4±6.7 years and 67.7% were female. The average job tenure was 17.9 ± 8 years. The mean score of WAS was 7.5±1.8. The mean scores of emotional well-being, social well-being and psychological well-being were 8.5±4.2, 12.6±6.1, and 19.9±7.3, respectively. Sixty-one per cent of participants reported languishing to moderate mental health, and 39% % were flourishing. The workability of participants was significantly associated with their well-being (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Having good mental health improves the worker’s ability to work. Taking care of mental health is crucial to guarantee better efficacy at work.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Clinical correlates of COVID-19 disease in psychiatric outpatients
Authors: Gassab L. , jabeur M. , Ben Mbarek M. , Ben Mohamed B. , Amamou B. , Zaafrane F. , Gaha L.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Patients suffering from psychiatric illness represent a population that is particularly vulnerable to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and to the pandemic situation due to several factors.

Objectives

We aimed in our study to determine the rate of COVID-19 infection and to identify its correlated factors in outpatients of the psychiatry department of Monastir, Tunisia.

Methods

This is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study conducted on 178 outpatients at the department of psychiatry (Monastir, Tunisia) over a period of one month (from March 2022 to April 2022). Data was collected via a questionnaire focused on two main attributes: (1) sociodemographic and clinical characteristics; (2) questions about the COVID-19 personal and family history.

Results

The mean age of our population was 44.9±13.7 years. The majority of them (81.5%) had a chronic evolution of their psychiatric disorder (> 2 years) and 68.7% were hospitalized at least once in psychiatry. Psychosis was the most represented disorder with 57.3% compared to mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Among our population, thirty seven patients (21%) had a SARS-CoV-2 infection and 3.1% required hospital care. The infection by the virus of a family member was reported by 46% of cases and 2.5% had intrafamilial death due to COVID-19 disease. Patients with depressive disorder were the most affected (55%). COVID-19 infection was significantly associated with gender (p=0.02), marital status (p=0.016), diagnosis (p=0.001), treatment (p=0.02) and intrafamilial spread of the disease (p<10-3).

Conclusions

Patients with psychiatric disorders experience a distinct burden of the COVID-19 disease. Awareness of the vulnerability of this population and psychiatric institutions is necessary in order to adapt mental health care planning and implement preventive measures during potential subsequent pandemics.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The relationship between anxiety, productivity and self-compassion of healthcare professionals in COVID19 time
Authors: Cornea M. , Bacila C.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

During the Corona virus pandemic, anxiety was one of the most felt emotions. Anxiety can lead to maladaptive coping behaviors, including decreased productivity at work. There are some mechanisms that buffer the devastaing effect that anxiety can have, and one of them is self-compassion. The impact on mental health during the pandemic has increased, especially among healthcare professionals, and needs further exploration

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the relationships between anxiety, productivity and self-compassion at work among healthcare professionals, as well as, the possibility of self-compassion playing the role of a relationship’s moderator, in a pandemic context.

Methods

The study gathers the result from 202 participants, who completed a questionnaire on an online platform. We examined the link between anxiety, respectively COVID-19 anxiety, productivity and self-compassion, as well as the link between self-compassion and productivity among healthcare workers in a pandemic context. In order to emphasize the objectives, the validated BAI, CAS, SPS-SV and SCS-SV scales were used.

Results

In terms of results, significant negative correlations were identified in the relationships between anxiety, COVID-19 anxiety, productivity and self-compassion, and a significantly positive correlation in the self-compassion-productivity relationship. Also, we studied if self-compassion could be a relationship moderator. As the results show, the study identified a statistically insignificant effect of self-compassion on the relationships anxiety-productivity and anxiety of COVID-19-productivity, among health workers.

Conclusions

The present study has achieved its proposed objectives, so that through future research, anxiety, productivity and self-compassion can be explored not only in a pandemic context, but also in a normal context of professional activity in the medical field, and it can also contribute to the identification of other moderators of the anxiety-productivity relationship.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Peculiarities of the initial psychopathological manifestations after the transferred coronavirus disease COVID-19
Authors: Maruta N. O. , Fedchenko V. Y. , Yavdak I. O. , Lapinska O. R.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The pathogenesis of mental disorders occurring during the coronavirus pandemic 2 (SARS-COV-2) includes biological and psychosocial factors. Psychopathological consequences associated with the coronavirus disease COVID-19 may occur in different groups of individuals, including patients with a history of COVID-19 and patients with psychiatric disorders preceding COVID-19.

Objectives

To investigate the peculiarities of the initial psychopathological manifestations in patients with newly diagnosed mental disorders who suffered from COVID-19 and were exposed to the stressors of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Methods

The study involved 97 patients with newly diagnosed mental disorders who suffered from COVID-19 and were exposed to the stressors of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (F 32.0-32.2 – 34 patients, F 40-45 – 32 patients, F 06.3-06.6 – 31 patient). The average age of the examined group was 44.82 ± 5.64 years. Clinico-psychopathological, psychodiagnostic, statistical methods were used.

Results

In the structure of initial psychopathological manifestations detected in patients, the following prevailed: with depressive episodes - weakness and fatigue / asthenia ((87.50 ± 5.94) %), low mood / depression ((71.88 ± 8.07) %) and sleep disturbances ((65.63 ± 8.53) %); with neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders – weakness and fatigue / asthenia ((72.73 ± 7.87) %), decreased concentration of attention, memory / cognitive disorders ((66.67 ± 8.33 ) %) and feeling of inner tension ((60.61 ± 8.64) %); with mental disorders of organic genesis – a feeling of internal tension ((75.00 ± 7.78) %), anxiety ((62.50 ± 8.70) %) and weakness and fatigue / asthenia ((59.38 ± 8 .82) %).

In patients with depressive episodes, initial psychopathological manifestations in the form of asthenia, low mood, cognitive disorders, and sleep disorders were detected in a significantly greater number of cases compared to patients with mental disorders of organic genesis (р < 0,05). In the examined subjects of this subgroup, initial psychopathological manifestations in the form of a decrease in mood were recorded in a significantly greater number of cases compared to patients with neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders (р < 0,05). In patients with neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders, initial psychopathological manifestations in the form of anxiety, fears and obsessions were noted in a significantly smaller number of cases compared to those examined with mental disorders of organic genesis (р < 0,05).

Conclusions

The obtained data will make it possible to improve the effectiveness of diagnosis and therapy of mental disorders, the formation, course and clinical picture of which were affected by the coronavirus disease COVID-19.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The Psychosocial effects of the covid-19 lockdown`s on school-age childrens: A literature review
Authors: Da Silva O. A. , Babani H. , Sarubi G. D. O. , Campos A. M. S. , Campos A. L. S. , Pontes J. G. A. , Ferreira J. A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Home confinement was implemented worldwide as a response to the covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, almost all school-age children started to receive home-schooling from the beginning of 2020, it was necessary due to the length of the lockdowns. Being quarantined at home imposed an increase in psychological burden and the situation was aggravated because of school closure, lack of outdoor activity, aberrant dietary and sleeping habits, disrupting children’s usual lifestyle and promoting monotony, distress, impatience, annoyance, and varied neuropsychiatric manifestations.

Objectives

This study aims to understand the correlation between quarantine and psychosocial effects on school-age children.

Methods

An integrative literature review was developed in 3 steps: Development of the research question, search for scientific articles in the Pubmed database, and critical analysis of included articles. The search was conducted in September 2022, and articles between 2019 and 2022 were selected, for a total of 510 articles, of which 28 were used.

Results

The confinement caused by the coronavirus imposed an immediate and lingering psychosocial impact on children due to drastic changes in their physical activity, lifestyle, and mental excursions. Even a short-term shutdown of educational institutions and home confinement is indeed troublesome and anticipated to have detrimental effects on children’s physical and mental health and shatter the sense of normalcy that schools used to provide. Another important factor to note is that some children`s had to be detached from their parents due to several factors, this juncture caused ever-lasting psychiatric consequences including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, psychosis, depression, delinquency, and even suicidal tendency.

Conclusions

Thus, frontline physicians must be aware of the psychosocial needs of the quarantined children. Hospital authorities need to make arrangements for children to communicate with parents via audiovisual devices. Government should invest in operational strategies to provide mental healthcare for the quarantined children.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Decisional conflict among health care workers regarding the covid 19 vaccine
Authors: Dhakouani S. , Lansari R. , Hamrouni N. , Larnaout A. , melki W.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The introduction of the covid 19 vaccine was a long-awaited event. However, many concerns accompanied this vaccine and the decision to be vaccinated was conflicting, especially among the most vulnerable population at that time, the health care workers.

Objectives

Evaluate the decisional conflict among health care workers concerning the launch of the covid19 vaccination campaign.

Methods

This is a descriptive study conducted by a questionnaire posted on social networks using Google Forms targeting groups of health professionals before the launch of the vaccination campaign in Tunisia from January 16, 2021 to March 6, 2021.

We collected sociodemographic data and the attitudes of health care workers about COVID 19 vaccination. We used SURE score to screen the decisional conflict related to COVID 19 vaccine.

Results

Our study included 168 health care workers represented mainly by medical personnel (81% of the respondents). The average age was 34 ±10 years and sex ratio was 0.22.

Sixty percent (60%) of population were hesitant about the COVID 19 vaccine. Scientific sources were consulted by 61% and non-scientific sources were referred to by 19%. Seven percent (7%) did not use any information source.

The SURE decisional conflict score: the mean was 2.26 ± 1.35. The majority of our population (74.4%) had SURE scores in favour of a decisional conflict. We found that decisional conflict was significantly related to information sources. This conflict was highest amoung health care workers who did not use scientific information sources to inquire about the vaccine.

Conclusions

The announcement of the covid 19 vaccination campaigns raised a significant decisional conflict among the health care workers. Screening for decisional conflict among this population is important. Specific interventions to reduce this conflict are recommended by incorporating decision support tools (Decison Aids) and the shared decision making approach.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Distance and Psychoanalysis: Negotiating with the Virtual World
Authors: Gairola V.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Earlier ways of being in touch with each other have been turned into nostalgia the way COVID-19 did and continues to shake the world. There has been an enormous move under COVID-19 to move towards zoom, telephones, etc. to do online psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. Audio and video have taken exceptional agential forms by replacing physical hearing and seeing. Physical touch is replaced by a virtual touch. The virtual has extended the meaning of the body, feelings, sensations, and relations.

Objectives

The aim of this paper lies in understanding, demystifying, and de-alienating the relationship between distance and psychoanalysis. It is to understand what ‘virtual turn’ entails in therapy. This paper theorizes the ‘and’ between distance and psychoanalysis.

Methods

This research used primary sources like books and articles to elucidate the possibilities and challenges of distance therapy.

Results

In-office analysis, analysis with the video, and telephone analysis bring their own unique ways of communication and understanding. “Talking cure” and “chimney sweeping” come closest to the domain of telephone analysis where voice again becomes the foreground. Technology and distance therapy’s relation to the analytic position is understood critically as what they mean for both the therapist and the patient in such times of shared social crisis.

Conclusions

International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) has authorized telephone and virtual analysis, which is a commendable step as this makes analysis far more accessible than it has ever been to people who live outside major cities along with breaking the hierarchy between the patient and the analyst.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Unreliable conspiracies: survey results about COVID-19 conspiracy theories lack temporal stability
Authors: Pisl V. , Volavka J. , Vevera J.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Conspiracy theories complicating public reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic inspired quantitative research on conspiracy theories, mostly using survey-based, correlational designs. Data from similar studies may, however, be unreliable due to low temporal stability (Graham, 2021).

Objectives

We examine the temporal stability of a popular survey measure of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs (CCBs).

Methods

CCBs were measured by a popular set of items developed in the first months of the pandemic, addressing the beliefs that COVID-19 was a hoax (CCH) and that it was artificially created for evil purposes (CCC) (Imhoff & Lamberty, 2020), in 179 students of medicine. In March 2022, CCBs were measured twice using the same set of questions presented once with a numeric (N1 measure) and once with a Lickertian (L1 measure) scale, with filler questions in between. The same Lickertian items were presented to the same sample in May 2022 (L2 measure).

Results

The mean agreement with CCBs did not differ between March and May 2022 and previous survey on a similar sample in January 2021. The temporal stability of CCBs expressed as the correlation between the L1 and L2 measurement was poor (r = .57 for CCC, r = .67, for CCH). The difference between L1 and L2 was positively correlated with agreement with CCBs (r =.21, p < .01 for CCH; r = .44; p < .001 for CCC). Out of 18 respondents reporting agreement with CCC in March and 5 respondents reporting agreement with CCH, only 8 still reported agreement with CCC and 1 reported agreement with CCH in May.

Finally, participants were split based on their L1 CCC score into groups of “mainstreamers”, “undecided”, and “conspirators”. For “mainstreamers”, there was no difference between their CCC score recorded in N1, L1, and L2. For “undecided”, there was a difference between L1 versus N1=L2, suggesting random effects (regression to the mean). For “conspirators”, the scores recorded in March were equal, while their agreement with CCC was lower in May, suggesting that the scores recorded in March were not random and the difference between March and May is better explained by situational factors.

Conclusions

Temporal stability of survey-reported CCBs is low, particularly among those reporting agreement with CCBs: When a respondent reports agreement with a CCB in a survey, they are more likely to disagree than agree with the same CCB two months later. The low temporal stability seems to be affected not only by incorrect or random answers, but also by situational factors. Implications: First, survey measures of CCBs may inflate the spread of conspiracy theories in population. Second, correlations of CCBs with other variables measured by surveys may be inflated via common method bias, distorting our understanding of the predictors and consequences of CCB.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Psychological impact of telework during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia
Authors: Ayed W. , Aissa I. , Chebbi S. , Ayadi A. , Magroun I.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Telework is a work organization in which a task that could have been performed on the employer’s worksite is performed by an employee outside of these offices, using information and communication technologies. COVID-19 pandemic has strengthened digitalization as the result of social distancing and lockdown. However, teleworking can lead to different risks for employees mental health.

Objectives

Evaluation of the psychosocial impact of telework during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia

Methods

Descriptive cross-sectional study carried out from17 to 22 May 2021. It included workers who teleworked during the first lockdown. The data collection was performed with a self-administered online questionnaire specifying the socio-medical, occupational and psychosocial characteristics.

Results

A total of 612 teleworkers were included. The mean age was 33±6.9 years. Sex ratio (M/F) was 0.32. The main sectors of activity were telecommunications and information technology (31.6%), legal and financial services (19%) and administration and organizations (16.5%). The teleworkers were operating in the private sector in 91.6% of the cases. Teleworking had been practiced before the health confinement by 55.6% of the cases and 86.3% had never received teleworking training. Psychosocial repercussions were noticed among 92.2%. During confinement, teleworkers reported a mood sadness in 36.4%, persistent anxiety in 27.8% and constant exhaustion in 43.3%. Sleep disorders were reported by 65.5%. They were difficulty in getting to sleep in 42.5% and a difficult morning awakening in 51.8%. The absence of work organization was significantly correlated with mood sadness (p<0.001), chronic anxiety (p=0.01), sleep disorders (p=0.03), and constant exhaustion (p=0.001). Spending breaks in front of the television and on social networks was significantly correlated with sadness of mood (p=0.04), anxiety (p=0.009), and sleep disorders (p=0.04).

Conclusions

Psychological impact of teleworking during health confinement at the COVID-19 pandemic was significant. Therefore, the role of the occupational physician is important in the detection and the prevention of health consequences.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Art therapy, occupational and play therapy used as multidisciplinary tools for prevention and early recovery for children and adolescents at risk of developing mental health problems and juvenile deliverance
Authors: Emilia C.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The new type of postmodern art can be interpreted from the point of view of self expression polarized between: art - art-therapy, ludic, occupational therapy - religion. The computer becomes the new medium after the impact of television, and by integrating computers into the network, their communication function has become more prevalent than that of data processing. Contemporary visual arts bring together, in different degrees of relationship and fusion, fields of art that until now were understood and practiced more individually. Multimedia and mixed media technology, which has evolved into meaningful visual representations, incorporates the science behind human perception and knowledge.

Objectives

The purpose of art in art-therapy, in this context, is not an exercise of the already acquired knowledge upon the artistic material, but a discovery of the yet unknown. Art-based therapies, as nondirective methods, attempt to visualize past traumatic experiences and harmonize the individual with himself and with others.

Methods

In the preventive activities, we include all activities involving nonverbal communication and holistic engagement of people in creative activities, specific to visual arts (plastic, decorative design, and multimedia).”Beneficiaries can create their own images with which they want to interact, to arrange their environment…We experiment with art-specific ways to make interdisciplinary exchanges and cultural interferences using the universal language of visual arts along with intercultural elements and religious ecumenism” . The child expresses various issues related to his feelings, like the search of his identity, the generated anxieties, the family and professional environment, the situations of neglect and abuse. For the same purpose, as a complement to activities in nature camps, where education/art therapy takes place in the artist’s studio, special care must be taken to create an evocative and stimulating work environment.

Results

We detect hidden capacities through the specific means of the visual arts with the aim of providing the freedom to follow one’s own destiny, encouraging the joy of creatively manifesting at multiple levels of difficulty in any activity. Harmonizing cultural differences develop self-esteem, tolerance, resilience, and necessary adaptation to the conditions of a multiethnic society.

Image:

Conclusions

There is an equidistant trialogue and circular relations between art, religion, and science, without any specific supremacy. This can offer up from the start the possibility of a lasting harmonization, of information transfers and professional enhancements to support new developments, uplifting the human being through positive reorientations and beneficial recoveries.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
“Andropausal” Depression – biological fact or psychosocial possibility?
Authors: Alexopoulos C. G. , Jovanovic Mirkovic J. M. , Jurinjak Z. Z. , Golubovic G. Z.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

In contrast to women, men do no experience a sudden cessation of gonadal function comparable to menopause. However, there is a progressive decline in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in aging men: testosterone level decline, and there is a loss of circadian rhythm of testosterone secretion.

By age 75 years, mean plasma testosterone levels have decreased 35% compared with young adults, and more than 25% of men of this age are clinically hypogonadal. Age related hypogonadism, which has been termed»andropause«, is thought to be responsible for variety of symptoms experienced by elderly men, including reduced muscle and bone mass, sexual dysfunction, depression, fatigue and irritability.

Objectives

However, it has been difficult to establish correlations between these symptoms and plasma testosterone levels. Clinical trials of testosterone replacement have documented some symptoms relief (improved muscle strength and bone mineral density), yet studies to date on the specific relation between depression and testosterone level have been methodologically flawed.

Methods

Data are presented from systematic clinical and epidemiological studies with bearing on this relation:

1.

population-based assessments of the relation between testosterone level, genetic factors and depression in elderly men,

2.

placebo-controlled clinical trials of testosterone replacement in men with major depressive disorder.

Results

Results suggest that age-related hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal hypofunction may have particular etiologic importance in late-onset male dysthimia.

Conclusions

However, there is still the dilemma whether late-onset depression in older men is predominantly biological (in which testosterone decline certainly plays an important role), psychosocial, or stress-diathesis origin.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
quality of remission in the major depressive disorder
Authors: Chebli H. , berrada H. , chtibi M. , belbachir S. , ouanass A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Depression is second only to cardiovascular disease as a cause of disability and affects 3 to 5% of the general population. The therapist always tries to guarantee a total remission of the symptoms of depression, but partial remission remains frequent.

Objectives

Evaluating the quality of remission in a group of patients followed for major depressive disorder at the Arrazi Hospital in Salé.

Methods

Cross-sectional study in adult patients followed up in consultation for major depressive disorder according to DSM-V criteria and having been under treatment for at least 2 months. Information was collected using a hetero questionnaire containing information on sociodemographic data and the depressive episode.

The quality of remission is assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.

Results

We recruited 70 patients followed for major depressive disorder at 2 months of evolution. The Hamilton scale revealed that 40% of patients were in partial remission.

Conclusions

Residual symptoms can be the cause of relapse in major depressive disorder, hence the interest in seeking both a symptomatic remission and a complete functional remission, and this by the evaluation and the continuous management of the patients.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Quality of life of depressed patients with chronic diseases
Authors: Rojas M. G. , Guajardo V. , Martinez P.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Chronic diseases are a public health problem and high prevalent on depressed patients.

Objectives

To describe the sociodemographic characteristics and the quality of life of a sample of depressed patients with hypertension and oder diabetes as comorbidity.

Methods

It is the baseline evaluation of 361 persons participating in a clinical trial that studies the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention for this type of patients.

Persons with moderate or severe depression and with hypertension and or diabetes attending 8 primary care centers in Santiago were invited to participate .

Results

The sample consisted of 361 study participants,the majority female(89.97%).The mean age was 59.81 years(de=10.28),with an age range observed from 26 to 83 years.Most of the participants had primary(35,91%)or secondary (43.21%)education level.More than a third of the participants reported houshold chores(34.09%) and a quarter were working for income(28.41%).About half of the participants were married(44.48%).The mean PHQ-9 score was 18.73(sd=2.81).Most of the participants had a previous diagnoses of depression(60.39%).The sample obtained an average of 34.99 points(sd=20.82) in the mental health component of the 12-item Short Form Health Survey indicative of poor quality of life related to mental health.

Conclusions

Depressed patients with chronic diseases ,users of primary care clinics, have poor quality of life,so it is urgent to review care protocols to achieve better health results.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Major depressive disorder with anxious features - the role of pregabalin
Authors: Carvalho R. S. , Afonso B. R. , Santos E.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Patients with unipolar major depression often present with symptoms of anxiety. Presentations with high levels of anxiety, restlessness, and somatic correlates of anxiety can be clinically identified as anxious depression. The comorbidity of anxious and depressive symptoms is a marker of poor prognosis, with greater risk of relapse and increased suicidal risk.

Objectives

Brief review of the role of pregabalin in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), based on a case study.

Methods

Consultation of the clinical record and brief review of the literature on this subject.

Results

We present the case of a 25-year-old woman, with no past psychiatric history, admitted to a psychiatric consultation with depressive symptoms, and marked anxiety and somatic complaints, such as restlessness, palpitations, gastrointestinal discomfort. She fulfilled diagnostic criteria for Major depressive disorder (MDD), and was initially treated with sertraline 50 mg, with partial response, but maintenance of prominent anxious symptoms with important functional impairment. Then, we raised the dose of sertraline to 100 mg and added pregabalin 50 mg, with up-titration to 150 mg per day, divided in three doses. We observed rapid response, particularly on the anxious symptoms, and subsequently on the patient functionality.

The anxiety symptoms can increase in the first days of treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which is the first-line therapy for major depression. Those are particularly difficult to treat, resulting often in treatment resistance and functional impairment. Pregabalin has a proven rapid-onset anxiolytic effect, with less cognitive and motor effects and less risk for dependence than benzodiazepines. It has demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, but the use for patients with MDD has not been clearly studied.

Conclusions

Although the evidence on this subject is sparse, pregabalin augmentation of antidepressants could be an adequate option for the treatment of depression, allowing a faster action on the anxiety symptoms, especially on the first weeks of treatment, without some of the risks of the benzodiazepines.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared