The COVID-19 pandemic is a significant public health threat with wide-reaching psychological implications. The drastic changes in lifestyle due to the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) were associated with adverse effects on mental health. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of anxiety among Malaysians during the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors. The following questionnaires were self-administered online through google form which included: (i) Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7; (ii) Short Boredom Proneness Scale; (iii) Short Scale for Measuring Loneliness in Large Surveys; and (iv) The World Health Organisation (WHO) well-being index. Higher scores denoted higher levels of anxiety, boredom, loneliness, and well-being. Out of the 543 participants, more than half (55.2%) reported mild (25.6%), moderate (13.8%) to severe (19.8%) anxiety. Multiple logistic regression showed higher odds of moderate to severe anxiety were reported among those divorced/separated/widowed (aOR 6.778, 95% CI [1.200, 38.296]), adults aged 25 to 34 years (aOR 2.038, 95% CI [1.049, 3.958]), 35 to 44 years (aOR 2.279, 95% CI [1.064, 4.882]), and with higher boredom levels (aOR 1.063, 95% CI [1.035, 1.092]). One in five Malaysians surveyed experienced severe anxiety. Adults within the working age range (between 25 and 44 years old) were at higher odds of having anxiety. Boredom increased the odds of anxiety compared to loneliness, well-being and coping. Thus, addressing the risk factors through public health messages is deemed important.
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Malaysians: A Cross-sectional Study
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Pandemik COVID-19 ialah ancaman kesihatan awam yang mempunyai implikasi psikologi yang meluas. Perubahan drastik dalam gaya hidup akibat pelaksanaan perintah kawalan pergerakan (PKP) dikaitkan dengan kesan buruk terhadap kesihatan mental. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji prevalen kebimbangan dalam kalangan rakyat Malaysia semasa pandemik COVID-19 dan faktor-faktor yang berkaitan dengannya. Soal selidik berikut diberikan secara dalam talian melalui borang google iaitu; (i) Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7; (ii) Skala Kecenderungan Kebosanan Pendek; (iii) Skala Pendek untuk Mengukur Kesepian dalam Tinjauan Besar; dan (iv) Indeks Kesejahteraan Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO). Skor yang lebih tinggi menunjukkan tahap kebimbangan, kebosanan, kesunyian dan kesejahteraan yang lebih tinggi. Daripada 543 peserta, lebih separuh (55.2%) melaporkan kebimbangan ringan (25.6%), sederhana (13.8%) hingga teruk (19.8%). Analisis regresi logistik pelbagai menunjukkan tahap kebimbangan yang sederhana hingga teruk dilaporkan dalam kalangan mereka yang bercerai/berpisah/balu (aOR 6.778, 95% CI [1.200, 38.296]), orang dewasa berumur 25 hingga 34 tahun (aOR 2.038, 95% CI [1.049, 95% CI [1.049, 3.958]), 35 hingga 44 tahun (aOR 2.279, 95% CI [1.064, 4.882]), dan dengan tahap kebosanan yang lebih tinggi (aOR 1.063, 95% CI [1.035, 1.092]). Satu daripada lima rakyat Malaysia yang dikaji mengalami kebimbangan yang teruk. Orang dewasa dalam lingkungan umur bekerja (antara 25 dan 44 tahun) berkemungkinan lebih tinggi untuk mengalami kebimbangan. Kebosanan meningkatkan kemungkinan kebimbangan berbanding dengan kesepian, kesejahteraan dan daya tindak. Oleh itu, untuk menangani masalah kebimbangan, mesej kesihatan awam tentang faktor risiko perlu ditingkatkan.
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