Anxiety, depression and stress among female community health volunteer during COVID-19 pandemic province 1.

Research Report.

SUMMARY:

Background: Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) are an integral part of various community-based health programs visiting households and communities to screen for diseases, risk factors and educate on basic health issues. A profound and wide range of psychological health issues (anxiety, stress, and depression) at the individual, community, and international levels has been reported during the COVID-19 outbreaks. Thus, to bridge the gap between families and communities to periphery-level health facilities, the role of FCHVs is liaison the health facility and community this helps to meet the Sustainable Development Goal. This study aims to assess the anxiety, depression, and stress level among female community health volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to assess the anxiety, depression, and stress level among rural and urban FCHVs during the COVID-19 in Province 1. A multistage random sampling technique was be used the select the sample. The total samplesize was 384. Semi-structured interview schedules was used for sociodemographic information, interpersonal factors, and organization factors of the participants whereas structured valid Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used for measuring the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress level of FCHVs. Data was collected via face-to-face interview techniques. Descriptive analysis i.e. frequency, percentage, mean, median, and standard deviation was used to assess the level of anxiety, depression, and stress among adults. Inferential analysis i.e. chi-square was used to find the association between dependent and selected demographic variables.

Result:The bivariate analysis showed that there is significant association between anxiety and occupation (p=0.047; OR=2.878; CI= 1.016-8.154); place of residence (p=0.001; OR=1.959; CI=1.305-2.940). Similarly, there is no association between age; ethnicity; religion; types of family; marital status; social network, and co-morbidities. There is an association between stress and place of residence (p=0.019; OR=1.630; CI=1.082-2.454). There is no significant association between stress and age; ethnicity; religion; education; occupation; types of family; marital status; social network and co-morbidities. There is an association between depression and place of residence (p=0.003; OR=1.864; CI=1.242-2.797). There is no significant association between depression and age; ethnicity; religion; education; occupation; types of family; and co-morbidities. Multivariate analysis revealed that there is significant association between level anxiety and ethnicity (p=0.040; OR=1.562; CI=1.021-2.390), of FCHVs,occupation (p=0.013; OR=3.861; CI=1.325-11.249) and place of residence (p=0.000; OR=1.959; CI=1.470-3.413). The FCHVs who are Brahmin/Chhetri isa 1.562 times more chance to develop anxiety than FCHVs who are Janajati and others. Similarly, FCHVs who did FCHVs with service isa 3.861 times more chance to develop anxiety than FCHVs did FCHVs with Business and others. Likewise, the FCHVs who lived in urban areasis 1.959 times more chance to develop stress than FCHVs who lived in the rural area. There is significant association between level stress and occupation (p=0.037; OR=3.363; CI=1.074-10.531)place of residence (p=0. 005; OR=1.817; CI=1.193-2.767).FCHVs whose occupation FCHVs with service is 3.363 times more chance to develop stress than the FCHVs who are Janajati and another profession. Similarly, the FCHVs who lived in urban areas are 1.817 times more chance to develop stress than FCHVs who lived in the rural area. There is significant association between level depression and ethnicity, occupation (p=0.000;OR=2.117; OR=1.391-3.222) and place of residence (p=0. 026; OR=3.371; CI=1.158-9.812). FCHVs whose ethnicity is Brahmin/Chhetri; have 1.630 times more chance to develop depression than FCHVs who are Janajati & others. FCHVs whose occupation is FCHVs with service; 3.371 times more chance to develop depression than FCHVs who are Janajati and others. Similarly, FCHVs who lived in urban is 2.117 times more chance to develop depression than FCHVs who lived in rural respectively.
The study concluded that the depression, anxiety, and stress levels were occurred on FCHVs range from moderate to extremely severe so prompt counseling family support motivational activities could enhance the mental wellbeing of the FCHVs.

Keywords: Anxiety, depression and stress, COVID-19, Female Community Health Volunteers, Province 1