Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) epidemic and mental health status in the general adult population of Serbia: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Since its outbreak, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has rapidly spread throughout the world. The Serbian government declared a state of emergency on 15 March, 2020, implementing some of Europe’s strictest measures to combat the pandemic. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID‐19 epidemic on the mental health of the general adult Serbian population and to identify associated factors during the state of emergency and lockdown. Data were collected with a snowball sampling method between 23 March and 25 April, 2020, by using an online questionnaire. Multiple ordinal regression was performed to establish the associations between socio‐demographic characteristics, self‐estimated health status, and depression, anxiety, and stress. Out of 1057 participants included in the study, 28.9%, 36.9%, and 38.1% reported moderate to severe depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Uneasiness related to COVID‐19 news, the feeling of helplessness, likeliness of impending death, and presence of COVID‐19 symptoms were associated with higher depression, anxiety, and stress scores. Current smoking status was associated with a higher risk of depression and stress. Students had a significantly higher level of depression and stress, while older age was protective against anxiety and stress. Higher socioeconomic status was significantly associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.