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Unveiling the differences of mental health disorders before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malawi
Type
thesis
Date Issued
2024-06-20
Author(s)
KAFAKALAWA INNOCENT
Advisor
高美英; 蔡博方
Subjects
系所名稱：醫學人文研究所碩士班
Publisher
醫學人文研究所碩士班
Description
學位別：碩士
關鍵字：Covid-19; Common mental disorders; Low and middle income countries; Zonal SES Disparities; Coping mechanisms; Social Economical status
論文公開日期：2024-07-22
關鍵字：Covid-19; Common mental disorders; Low and middle income countries; Zonal SES Disparities; Coping mechanisms; Social Economical status
論文公開日期：2024-07-22
Abstract
Introduction
This thesis examines the differences in new common mental disorders (CMDs) across the five health administrative zones in Malawi, comparing three years before Covid-19 (2017-2019) and during Covid-19 (2020-2022). It also investigates the cultural and socioeconomic disparities that may have influenced these differences
Methods
Quantitative and auto-ethnographic approaches were used. Data on socioeconomic disparities were retrieved from the Malawi National Statistical Office (NSO) database. Mental health reports from health facilities were extracted from the District Health Information Systems 2 (DHIS2) to explore CMD differences before and during the pandemic. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23 and Excel.
Results
The analysis shows a 61% increase in new CMD cases during Covid-19, from 3,214 to 8,293. Male cases rose by 54% and female by 69%, with notable increases in alcohol and drug disorders, organic disorders, psychotic disorders, depression, and anxiety. CMD trends mirrored Covid-19 infection trends in four quarters, indicating significant impacts from socioeconomic factors like job loss and loss of income. The Central West and South West zones, with higher poverty levels, recorded the most CMDs.
Conclusion
The study highlights a substantial increase in CMD cases during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in the Central West and South West zones despite similar overall socioeconomic status across zones. The findings highlight the need to strengthen mental health services and interventions to mitigate the effects of socioeconomic challenges during pandemics and beyond.
This thesis examines the differences in new common mental disorders (CMDs) across the five health administrative zones in Malawi, comparing three years before Covid-19 (2017-2019) and during Covid-19 (2020-2022). It also investigates the cultural and socioeconomic disparities that may have influenced these differences
Methods
Quantitative and auto-ethnographic approaches were used. Data on socioeconomic disparities were retrieved from the Malawi National Statistical Office (NSO) database. Mental health reports from health facilities were extracted from the District Health Information Systems 2 (DHIS2) to explore CMD differences before and during the pandemic. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23 and Excel.
Results
The analysis shows a 61% increase in new CMD cases during Covid-19, from 3,214 to 8,293. Male cases rose by 54% and female by 69%, with notable increases in alcohol and drug disorders, organic disorders, psychotic disorders, depression, and anxiety. CMD trends mirrored Covid-19 infection trends in four quarters, indicating significant impacts from socioeconomic factors like job loss and loss of income. The Central West and South West zones, with higher poverty levels, recorded the most CMDs.
Conclusion
The study highlights a substantial increase in CMD cases during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in the Central West and South West zones despite similar overall socioeconomic status across zones. The findings highlight the need to strengthen mental health services and interventions to mitigate the effects of socioeconomic challenges during pandemics and beyond.