Global prevalence and determinants of mental health disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2021 Jul 28:68:102634. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102634. eCollection 2021 Aug.

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected more than 5 million and lost the lives of more than 300 thousand people globally. It is the first-ever deadly pandemic with a significant degree of fear, worry and concern in the population at large. Therefore, this Meta-Analysis aims to assess the global prevalence and determinants of mental health disorders.

Methods: A three-stage search strategy was conducted on PubMed/Medline, Science direct LILACS and PsycINFO databases. The Heterogeneity among the included studies was checked with forest plot, χ2 test, I2 test, and the p-values. Publication bias was checked with a funnel plot and the objective diagnostic test was conducted with Egger's correlation, Begg's regression tests, and Trim and fill method.

Results: The Meta-Analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of anxiety and depression 33.59% (95% confidence interval (CI): 27.21 to 39.97, 30 studies, 88,543 participants) and 29.98% (95% confidence interval (CI): 25.32 to 34.64, 25 studies, 78,191 participants) respectively.

Conclusion: The review revealed that more than thirty percent of patients developed anxiety and depression during COVID-19 Pandemic. This presages the health care stakeholders to prevent and intervene in mental health disorders.

Registration: This review was registered in Prospero international prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42020183146).

Keywords: Anxiety; COVID-19; Coronavirus; Depression; Global.

Publication types

  • Review