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Research Article: COVID-19 anxiety and related factors amid adjusted epidemic prevention policies: a cross-sectional study on patients with late-life depression in China

Date Published: 2023-11-24

Abstract:
Objectives To explore the prevalence and associated factors of COVID-19 anxiety in patients with late-life depression (LLD) during the adjustment of epidemic prevention policies in China. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting The data analysed in this study were collected from seven regions in China between November 2022 and January 2023. Participants A total of 1205 patients with LLD (aged 60–78 years) participated in the survey. They completed a social demographic assessment and the Chinese version of the five-point Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS). Primary outcome measures The primary outcome was the anxiety level of the participants. Patients were categorised into two groups based on their anxiety levels, one with anxiety and one without, according to CAS scores. Results The prevalence of COVID-19 anxiety in depressed older adults was 47.3%. Regression analysis revealed that the average COVID-19 anxiety score was significantly higher among females (AOR: 2.177, 95%?CI 1.201 to 3.947), widowed individuals (AOR: 3.015, 95%?CI 1.379 to 6.591), patients residing at a distance from healthcare facilities (AOR: 3.765, 95%?CI 1.906 to 7.438), and those who frequently experienced worry (AOR: 1.984, 95%?CI 1.111 to 3.543). Conversely, the anxiety score was significantly lower among divorced individuals (AOR: 0.491, 95%?CI 0.245 to 0.988), those aged 70 years and above (AOR: 0.117, 95%?CI 0.064 to 0.213), patients without difficulty obtaining medication (AOR: 0.027, 95%?CI 0.007 to 0.097), those living with family members (AOR: 0.080, 95%?CI 0.022 to 0.282) or in nursing homes compared with those living alone (AOR: 0.019, 95%?CI 0.004 to 0.087). Conclusion Women with LLD who are widowed, live far from healthcare facilities, and are prone to excessive worry are more likely to experience anxiety. It is advisable to implement appropriate preventive measures and provide psychosocial support programmes for this vulnerable group during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction:
The COVID-19 pandemic stands as one of the most significant public health emergencies of this century. 1 Beginning with the declaration of the pandemic by the WHO on 11 March 2020, the global count of confirmed cases reported to WHO exceeded 756?million by February 2023, with more than 6.8?million recorded deaths. 2 To prevent epidemics and safeguard lives and property, the Chinese government implemented a precise sealing strategy to reduce infection rates, famously known as the ‘Dynamic clearing’ policy—a measure…

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