The impact of confinement on anxiety rates of the entourage of patients in the psychiatric hospital of Tunis. (13th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tanazefti, H.; Beldi, M.; Hajri, A.; Maamri, A.; Zalila, H.
• Is Part Of: European psychiatry. Volume 64:Supplement 1(2021)
• Page Start: S699
• Page End: S699
• Publication Date: 2021-04-13
• Subjects: psychiatric patients' accompanyings -- confinement -- Anxiety; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.1850
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0924-9338

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: The confinement did begot a recrudescence in the rate of stress within populations. Meanwhile, research targeting the mental health of the psychiatric patients' accompanyings are scarce. Objectives: Detect and evaluate anxiety levels of patients' entourage during confinement. Methods: It is a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study based on a random sample of People accompanying psychiatric patients from externals consultations service in the only Psychiatric Hospital in Tunisia. Data were been collected during the month of June 2020 via a 20 items questionnaire and a score HAD issued in Arabic. Results: One hundred thirty five accompanyings were surveyed. The age group was predominantly between 51 and 60 with a sex ratio of 0.31. Near half was the parents. eighty seven were unemployed, 38 stopped working due to confinement and 10 have been worked normally. A pathological anxiety HAD score (>7) was found in 36 accompanyings (26, 67 %). Amongst them, 19 had manifested symptoms. Anxiety levels are significantly much higher in accompanyings of patients with personality disorders (p=0.053). Otherwise, 52, 6% of accompanyings who stopped working felt more under pressure than before lockdown. In contrary to those who did not worked before at all (29.9 %) and those who continued working (10%). Conclusions: It seems that the entourage of mentally ill patients experience a continuous psychological distress, which was uncovered and marked in confinement period. Thus, it is necessary to establish screening programs, psychological education and early care to ensure their well-being. Disclosure: No significant relationships.