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Prevalence and Correlates of Anxiety in Fort McMurray Vulnerable Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 July 2023

R. Shalaby ,
E. Eboreime ,
N. Nkire ,
B. Agyapong ,
H. Pazderka ,
G. Obuobi-Donkor ,
M. Adu ,
W. Mao ,
E. Owusu  and
F. Oluwasina
...Show all authors
R. Shalaby*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton
E. Eboreime
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton
N. Nkire
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton
B. Agyapong
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton
H. Pazderka
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton
G. Obuobi-Donkor
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
M. Adu
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
W. Mao
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton
E. Owusu
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton
F. Oluwasina
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton
V. Agyapong
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has produced negative mental health outcomes, which were more prominent in vulnerable communities, such as Fort McMurray (FMM), the community that experienced prior similar disasters.

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the likelihood and correlates of anxiety symptoms among FMM residents, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey questionnaire was applied between 24 April and 2 June 2021, at FMM community to gather a set of data, including sociodemographic, COVID-19, and clinical information. Generalized anxiety disorder was the main outcome of the study, and was measured using GAD-7 scale.

Results

Overall, 186 individuals completed the survey (response rate 74.7%). Most of the respondents were females (159, 85.5%); above 40 years (98, 52.7%); employed (175, 94.1%); and in relationship (132, 71%). The prevalence of moderate-to-severe anxiety was (42.5%, 71) on GAD-7 self-reported scale. Subscribers who reported that they would like to receive mental health support; have received no family support since COVID-19 declaration; and have lost their job during the pandemic were all more likely to report moderate-to-severe anxiety (OR = 3.39; 95% CI: 1.29-8.88), (OR = 4.85; 95% CI: 1.56-15.03), and (OR = 4.40; 95% CI: 1.01-19.24), respectively.

Conclusions

Anxiety levels were high among FMM residents, compared to levels before COVID-19. Clinical and social factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly predicted likely anxiety among Fort McMurray population. It is imperative to mobilize resources to support vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

Type
Abstract
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 66 , Special Issue S1: Abstracts of the 31st European Congress of Psychiatry , March 2023 , pp. S451 - S452
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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