AN ONLINE STUDY ON DEPRESSION IN KOSOVO DURING THE COVID-19 PA

Session

Medicine and Nursing

Description

A review of the literature shows increased rates of depression during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is intriguing what impact Covid-19 will have on Kosovo as a low-middle-income country in Europe.

Aim

To understand the level of depression as a result of the COVID-19 situation and possible associations with socio-demographic variables such as age, gender, place of residence, educational level, economic status and employment.

Methods

It is a cross-sectional study. Participants were 355 respondents through internet, who in the period 27.12.2021 to 21.01.2021 completed the Albanian version of PHQ-9 which has nine findings that ask about thinking / feelings during the last two weeks. The age of the participants was from 14 to 85 years (Mage = 24.41, SD = 9.57).

Results

The mean value of depression was 5.73 (DS = 6.66). Severe depression resulted in 21 participants or 5.9%, with moderate depression 19 or 5.4%, with mild depression 42 or 11.8% and with minimal symptoms 59 or 16.6%. 17 participants or 4.8% have suicidal thoughts almost every day. There are no significant differences in the level of depression by gender, place of residence, educational level and employment status. Participants with poor economic status had significantly higher levels of depression. Somatic symptoms were significantly more present.

Conclusions

About ¼ participants exhibit clinical levels of depression. Prevention and treatment efforts are indicated especially for people with economic difficulties.

Keywords:

COVID-19, depression, PHQ-9, online, Kosovo

Proceedings Editor

Edmond Hajrizi

ISBN

978-9951-550-47-5

Location

UBT Kampus, Lipjan

Start Date

30-10-2021 12:00 AM

End Date

30-10-2021 12:00 AM

DOI

10.33107/ubt-ic.2021.206

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Oct 30th, 12:00 AM Oct 30th, 12:00 AM

AN ONLINE STUDY ON DEPRESSION IN KOSOVO DURING THE COVID-19 PA

UBT Kampus, Lipjan

A review of the literature shows increased rates of depression during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is intriguing what impact Covid-19 will have on Kosovo as a low-middle-income country in Europe.

Aim

To understand the level of depression as a result of the COVID-19 situation and possible associations with socio-demographic variables such as age, gender, place of residence, educational level, economic status and employment.

Methods

It is a cross-sectional study. Participants were 355 respondents through internet, who in the period 27.12.2021 to 21.01.2021 completed the Albanian version of PHQ-9 which has nine findings that ask about thinking / feelings during the last two weeks. The age of the participants was from 14 to 85 years (Mage = 24.41, SD = 9.57).

Results

The mean value of depression was 5.73 (DS = 6.66). Severe depression resulted in 21 participants or 5.9%, with moderate depression 19 or 5.4%, with mild depression 42 or 11.8% and with minimal symptoms 59 or 16.6%. 17 participants or 4.8% have suicidal thoughts almost every day. There are no significant differences in the level of depression by gender, place of residence, educational level and employment status. Participants with poor economic status had significantly higher levels of depression. Somatic symptoms were significantly more present.

Conclusions

About ¼ participants exhibit clinical levels of depression. Prevention and treatment efforts are indicated especially for people with economic difficulties.