Psychological Consequence of the Corona Virus Disease Pandemic in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

• Published in: Risk management and healthcare policy Vol. 14; pp. 2163 - 2170
• Main Authors: Natuhoyila Nkodila, Aliocha, N'Lombi Mbendi, Charles, Kabangi Tukadila, Hervé Alex, Lelo Managa, Gilbert, Ngwala Lukanu, Philippe, Mbenza Longo, Benjamin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Dove Medical Press Limited 01-01-2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Anxiety; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; covid-19 pandemic; Cross-sectional studies; depression; Depression, Mental; Developing countries; Epidemics; kinshasa; LDCs; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health; Original Research; Pandemics; Psychological aspects; Surveys; Virus diseases; Congo (Kinshasa); COVID-19 pandemic; anxiety; Kinshasa; depression
• ISSN: 1179-1594; 1179-1594
• DOI: 10.2147/RMHP.S300505

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is impacting the mental health of the population, but data on its impact in developing countries are lacking. The purpose of this study is to assess the psychological aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the population of Kinshasa.
This cross-sectional and analytical study included 456 randomly selected respondents in the Ngafani district of the municipality of Selembao during the period from August 1 to October 30, 2020. Socio-demographic data, and data concerning COVID-19 and its impact on mental health, were studied. Anxiety and depression were studied using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).
The two genders were represented in equal proportions; the patients had a mean age of 40.4±17.2 years with a high frequency of patients aged over 50 years. All had agreed to observe social distancing, but only 36.8% had accepted isolation. Using the HADS, 47.4% had a doubtful anxiety state and 23.7% had a definite anxiety state; 36.8% had a doubtful depressive state and 25% had a definite depressive state. Old age (≥50 years), female gender, lack of occupation, and isolation were independent determinants associated with anxiety and depression.
The frequency of anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic was high. Older age, female gender, lack of a profession, and isolation were associated with anxiety and depression.