Peer-reviewed article
Psychological and behavioral impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and containment among the general tunisian population
Gdoura D, Charfeddine F, Ktari G, Chamseddine A, Bouattour O et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001A study of Tunisian adults during COVID-19 lockdown in April-May 2020 found changes in behavior and mental health impacts. Participants reported increased consumption of coffee, tobacco and alcohol, sleep disorders in over half, and depression, anxiety and anger in smaller proportions. Child abuse was reported to have increased by 13.7%, and younger people experienced more depression and anxiety than older adults.
Key points
- 56.1% of participants experienced sleep disorders, with higher rates in women
- 15.9% reported depression and 12.9% reported anxiety during confinement
- Child abuse increased by 13.7% during the lockdown period
- Depression and anxiety were associated with younger age but not with gender, profession or civil status
- Coffee consumption increased by 26.5%, tobacco by 8.3%, and 33.3% increased religious practice
Limitations
The study was conducted on a small, self-selected online sample (132 responses) with high representation of educated, urban participants (77.3% higher education) and healthcare workers (41.7%), limiting generalizability to the broader Tunisian population. The study does not provide details on how child abuse was measured or reported, making it difficult to assess the validity of this concerning finding.
Abstract
Introduction Since COVID19 pandemic emergence, containment measure have been taken by the Tunisian government imposing a new lifestyle resulting in psychological repercussions and a change in behavior. Objectives Highlighting changes of behavior and lifestyle of the general public secondary to the COVID19 pandemic and to confinement and to assess their levels of psychological. Methods This is a qualitative, descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study realized between April and May 2020 with the general public using an anonymous online questionnaire covering: socio-demographic data; behavior during confinement; epidemic psychological impact; Mental health status was measured using Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale(DASS-21). Anger level was assessed by STAXI-10 items. Results 132 responses were received: 68.2% were women; the average age 32.01(±11.10); half were single; 77.3% were at higher education level; 41.7% were healthcare professionnels. Consumption increased by 26.5% in coffee, 8.3% tobacco and 1.5% alcohol. 33.3% of participants increased their religious practice. 56.1% experienced sleep disorder mostly women(p<0.05). 91.7% followed COVID19 evolution through media essentially Facebook. Partners relationship was deteriorated in1.7% and improved in 25%. Child abuse increased by 13.7%. During confinement: 15.9%depression (0.8%severe depression), 12.9%anxiety (0.8%severe anxiety), 5.3% stress and 27.3%feelings of anger. Depression, anxiety and anger were related to younger age(p<0.05). Stress wasn’t age related. Depression was observed in participants without children (p<0.05). No association founded between psychological impact and gender, profession and civil status. Conclusions The COVID19 pandemic and the containment had consequences on individuals behavior and mental health. A psychological listening unit was launched during the period of confinement to overcome psychological impact.