Science Journal of Public Health

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Perceived Stress Associated with COVID-19 Pandemic in Korem, Tigray, Ethiopia: Community Based Crossectional Study

Received: 10 September 2020    Accepted: 09 October 2020    Published: 04 November 2020
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Abstract

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major health crisis affecting several nations, within millions of cases and more than half-million deaths globally. In addition to its high infectivity and fatality rates, it is associated with adverse mental health consequences. Despite this, little is known about stress due to this pandemic in the community of Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess perceived stress associated with COVID-19 in Korem, Tigray, Ethiopia. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1-30/2020 among 422 participants. Simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Interviewer-administered data collection was done using a pretested and structured Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questionnaire. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried to identify associated factors. Finally, variable with P-value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Result: About 276 (65.4%) participants scored high perceived stress to COVID-19 pandemic. Being illiterate [AOR=5.1, 95% CI: (1.84, 13.9)], having a chronic disease [AOR=4.8, 95% CI: (1.8, 12.9)], being merchant [AOR=6.6, 95% CI:(2.05, 20.9)], not implementing preventive measures [AOR=3.7, 95% CI: (1.89, 7.34)], and not following policies and scientific evidence to COVID-19 [AOR=2.97 (1.59, 5.5)] were significantly associated factors. Conclusion: Two-thirds of the participants scored high perceived stress. Enhancing community awareness mainly on improving mental health and developing psychological resilience. Encouraging the community on practicing and implementing COVID-19 preventive and controlling measures, strengthen policies and scientific evidence, and addressing the riskiest populations is crucial to reducing the problem.

DOI 10.11648/j.sjph.20200806.11
Published in Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 8, Issue 6, November 2020)
Page(s) 155-160
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This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Perceived Stress, Pandemic, COVID-19, Korem, Tigray, Ethiopia

References
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Author Information
  • Department of Reproductive Health, Tigray Regional Health Bureau, Tigray, Ethiopia

  • Department of Midwifery, College of Health Science, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia

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    Girmay Adhena, Tesfay Temesgen. (2020). Perceived Stress Associated with COVID-19 Pandemic in Korem, Tigray, Ethiopia: Community Based Crossectional Study. Science Journal of Public Health, 8(6), 155-160. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20200806.11

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    ACS Style

    Girmay Adhena; Tesfay Temesgen. Perceived Stress Associated with COVID-19 Pandemic in Korem, Tigray, Ethiopia: Community Based Crossectional Study. Sci. J. Public Health 2020, 8(6), 155-160. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20200806.11

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    AMA Style

    Girmay Adhena, Tesfay Temesgen. Perceived Stress Associated with COVID-19 Pandemic in Korem, Tigray, Ethiopia: Community Based Crossectional Study. Sci J Public Health. 2020;8(6):155-160. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20200806.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjph.20200806.11,
      author = {Girmay Adhena and Tesfay Temesgen},
      title = {Perceived Stress Associated with COVID-19 Pandemic in Korem, Tigray, Ethiopia: Community Based Crossectional Study},
      journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {8},
      number = {6},
      pages = {155-160},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20200806.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20200806.11},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20200806.11},
      abstract = {Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major health crisis affecting several nations, within millions of cases and more than half-million deaths globally. In addition to its high infectivity and fatality rates, it is associated with adverse mental health consequences. Despite this, little is known about stress due to this pandemic in the community of Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess perceived stress associated with COVID-19 in Korem, Tigray, Ethiopia. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1-30/2020 among 422 participants. Simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Interviewer-administered data collection was done using a pretested and structured Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questionnaire. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried to identify associated factors. Finally, variable with P-valueResult: About 276 (65.4%) participants scored high perceived stress to COVID-19 pandemic. Being illiterate [AOR=5.1, 95% CI: (1.84, 13.9)], having a chronic disease [AOR=4.8, 95% CI: (1.8, 12.9)], being merchant [AOR=6.6, 95% CI:(2.05, 20.9)], not implementing preventive measures [AOR=3.7, 95% CI: (1.89, 7.34)], and not following policies and scientific evidence to COVID-19 [AOR=2.97 (1.59, 5.5)] were significantly associated factors. Conclusion: Two-thirds of the participants scored high perceived stress. Enhancing community awareness mainly on improving mental health and developing psychological resilience. Encouraging the community on practicing and implementing COVID-19 preventive and controlling measures, strengthen policies and scientific evidence, and addressing the riskiest populations is crucial to reducing the problem.},
     year = {2020}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Perceived Stress Associated with COVID-19 Pandemic in Korem, Tigray, Ethiopia: Community Based Crossectional Study
    AU  - Girmay Adhena
    AU  - Tesfay Temesgen
    Y1  - 2020/11/04
    PY  - 2020
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20200806.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.sjph.20200806.11
    T2  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JF  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JO  - Science Journal of Public Health
    SP  - 155
    EP  - 160
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-7950
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20200806.11
    AB  - Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major health crisis affecting several nations, within millions of cases and more than half-million deaths globally. In addition to its high infectivity and fatality rates, it is associated with adverse mental health consequences. Despite this, little is known about stress due to this pandemic in the community of Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess perceived stress associated with COVID-19 in Korem, Tigray, Ethiopia. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1-30/2020 among 422 participants. Simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Interviewer-administered data collection was done using a pretested and structured Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questionnaire. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried to identify associated factors. Finally, variable with P-valueResult: About 276 (65.4%) participants scored high perceived stress to COVID-19 pandemic. Being illiterate [AOR=5.1, 95% CI: (1.84, 13.9)], having a chronic disease [AOR=4.8, 95% CI: (1.8, 12.9)], being merchant [AOR=6.6, 95% CI:(2.05, 20.9)], not implementing preventive measures [AOR=3.7, 95% CI: (1.89, 7.34)], and not following policies and scientific evidence to COVID-19 [AOR=2.97 (1.59, 5.5)] were significantly associated factors. Conclusion: Two-thirds of the participants scored high perceived stress. Enhancing community awareness mainly on improving mental health and developing psychological resilience. Encouraging the community on practicing and implementing COVID-19 preventive and controlling measures, strengthen policies and scientific evidence, and addressing the riskiest populations is crucial to reducing the problem.
    VL  - 8
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

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