Nagaland: Survey finds prevalence of insomnia at 12%, depression at 21.4% during Covid-19 pandemic

Dimapur, Sep. 17 (EMN): A survey on mental health and psychosocial well-being in Nagaland during the Covid-19 pandemic has shown 12% prevalence of clinical insomnia (moderate and severe) among respondents (any person in Nagaland aged above 12).

The department of Health and Family Welfare, who had conducted the survey from June 12 to July 15, clarified that the study was done through an online survey with limited scope which only aims to provide a baseline prevalence data of the common mental health conditions in Nagaland during the pandemic.

There were 1127 respondents, out of which 58.2% were male, it informed in a press release issued on Thursday.

“The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of insomnia (sleep disorder), anxiety, depression and somatisation (anxiety leading to physical pain). Standard questionnaires were used: insomnia severity index for insomnia, patient health questionnaire-4 for anxiety and depression, somatic symptoms scale-8 for somatisation. The fear of Covid-19 scale was used to assess the level of the phobia associated with Covid-19,” it informed.

The survey also found prevalence of anxiety and depression at 13.7% and 21.4% respectively.

“Prevalence of somatisation/somatic symptoms (medium, high, very high) was 31.9%. Statistical analysis shows that women and respondents with high fear of Covid-19 (as per fear of Covid score) were found to have significantly higher risk of experiencing insomnia, anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms.

“Also people in urban areas and people who perceive to have moderate or high risk of exposure to Covid-19 at work place have significantly higher risk of experiencing insomnia. People below 30 years of age, and those with educational qualification below graduation have significantly higher risk of experiencing depression. Frontline workers (medical and non-medical) have lower risk of experiencing depression. Other factors like marital status, living with family/staying alone does not significantly affect the risk of experiencing the common mental health conditions assessed in this survey,” it informed.

The mean age of the respondents was 32 years; 80% of respondents were graduates or above, 65% were unmarried, 75% live in urban areas and 82% were living with families.

By occupation, 13% of the respondents were medical frontline workers, 8% were non-medical frontline workers, 3% were returnees, and 76% were from general population and other occupations.

“Among the respondents, 52% perceived to have low risk of Covid at workplace, 34% at moderate risk, and 15% at high risk. While there were respondents from all the districts, majority of the respondents were from Kohima (40%) and Dimapur (35%) districts,” it informed.