EFFECTS OF MOVEMENT CONTROL ORDER (MCO) ON ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS OF ROYAL COLLEGE OF MEDICINE PERAK (RCMP) DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 cases are increasing globally, and this situation can affect not only physical health but also mental health of human beings. Movement Control Order (MCO) is a measure used in Malaysia to break the chain of transmission and to curb the spread of infection. Anxiety and depression statistics are at a worrisome level because of this crisis. Effects of MCO have been identified as a factor causing anxiety and depression amongst the medical students during this Pandemic. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of MCO during COVID-19 pandemic on the anxiety and depression among the medical students in University Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) Royal College of Medicine Perak (UniKL RCMP) and to find out the association with sociodemographic factors. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study involving 227 medical students of UniKL RCMP from Year 1 to Year 5. Using systematic sampling method, data was collected through an online survey. The online questionnaire included Patients Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for assessing depression, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) for assessing anxiety and approved self-written questionnaire to assess for the MCO effects. Results: This study found that 16.7 % (n=38) of the respondents were having anxiety, while 30.4% (n=69) were having depression. MCO effects had an impact on anxiety in 24.4% (n=33) and on depression in 45.2% (n=61). The associations between effects of MCO and anxiety and depression were statistically significant with p-value less than 0.001. Students who were exposed to the effects of MCO were 5.62 times (OR: 5.62, 95% CI: 3.03 – 7.77) and 8.65 times (OR: 8.65, 95% CI: 5.49 – 13.73) more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression respectively, compared to those who were not. Conclusion: From this study, we can conclude that effects of MCO during COVID-19 Pandemic have a significant influence on anxiety and depression among medical students of UniKL RCMP during COVID19 pandemic, which needs early identification and intervention.