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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Epidemic and Mental Health Status in the General Adult Population of Serbia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Isidora Vujčić

    (Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Višegradska 26, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Teodora Safiye

    (Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovića 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia)

  • Bojana Milikić

    (Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovića 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia)

  • Emina Popović

    (Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovića 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
    Department of Children’s Healthcare, Community Health Center Petrovac na Mlavi, Moravska 2, 12300 Petrovac na Mlavi, Serbia)

  • Draško Dubljanin

    (Department of Pulmonology, University Clinical Hospital Center Zvezdara, Dimitrija Tucovića 161, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Eleonora Dubljanin

    (Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Jakša Dubljanin

    (Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovića 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
    Department of Cardiology, University Clinical Hospital Center Zemun, Vukova 9, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Milanko Čabarkapa

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, Čika Ljubina Street 18–20, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

Abstract

Since its outbreak, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread throughout the world. The Serbian government declared a state of emergency on 15 March 2020, implementing some of Europe’s strictest measures to combat the pandemic. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the mental health of the general adult Serbian population and to identify associated factors during the state of emergency and lockdown. Data were collected with a snowball sampling method between 23 March and 25 April 2020, by using an online questionnaire. Multiple ordinal regression was performed to establish the associations between socio-demographic characteristics, self-estimated health status, and depression, anxiety, and stress. Out of 1057 participants included in the study, 28.9%, 36.9%, and 38.1% reported moderate to severe depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Uneasiness related to COVID-19 news, the feeling of helplessness, likeliness of impending death, and presence of COVID-19 symptoms were associated with higher depression, anxiety, and stress scores. Current smoking status was associated with a higher risk of depression and stress. Students had a significantly higher level of depression and stress, while older age was protective against anxiety and stress. Higher socioeconomic status was significantly associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Suggested Citation

  • Isidora Vujčić & Teodora Safiye & Bojana Milikić & Emina Popović & Draško Dubljanin & Eleonora Dubljanin & Jakša Dubljanin & Milanko Čabarkapa, 2021. "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Epidemic and Mental Health Status in the General Adult Population of Serbia: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1957-:d:500959
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cuiyan Wang & Riyu Pan & Xiaoyang Wan & Yilin Tan & Linkang Xu & Cyrus S. Ho & Roger C. Ho, 2020. "Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors during the Initial Stage of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Epidemic among the General Population in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-25, March.
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    3. Izu Nwachukwu & Nnamdi Nkire & Reham Shalaby & Marianne Hrabok & Wesley Vuong & April Gusnowski & Shireen Surood & Liana Urichuk & Andrew J. Greenshaw & Vincent I.O. Agyapong, 2020. "COVID-19 Pandemic: Age-Related Differences in Measures of Stress, Anxiety and Depression in Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-10, September.
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    1. Tamara D. Klikovac & Nikola Petrović & Đerđi Šarić, 2023. "Assessment of Cancer Patients’ Mental Health during the Coronavirus Pandemic in Serbia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-16, January.
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    3. Veljko Kolak & Maja Pavlovic & Ema Aleksic & Vladimir Biocanin & Milica Gajic & Ana Nikitovic & Marija Lalovic & Irena Melih & Dragana Pesic, 2022. "Probable Bruxism and Psychological Issues among Dental Students in Serbia during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-13, June.
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    5. Tomasz Sobierajski & Marek Krzystanek, 2023. "Shades of Fear—Mental and Physical Health Reactions to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Representative Study of Polish Society," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-24, January.

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