Initial 10 days into COVID-19 movement control order of Malaysia: How well did we fare?

Abstract

This study aims to measure the level of psychological distress amongst stranded university students due to movement control order (MCO) lockdown in the early stage of a pandemic outbreak. A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted to obtain prevalence information on perceived depression, anxiety, and stress amongst stranded varsity students in the first 10 days of Malaysia's nationwide lockdown. Information on depression, anxiety and stress was compiled using Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21. Fifty-eight stranded varsity students participated in this survey. The period of research was between the first 2 weeks of the initial MCO enforcement in Malaysia. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the collected data. 14%, 22% and 10% of the 58 stranded students reported moderate to too severe levels of depression, anxiety and stress, respectively. During this period, the most frequently utilised communication mode with family and loved ones was through phone calls, followed by WhatsApp calls and Facetime. Writing letters and telegram are the least used mode of communication amongst the respondents. Worrying about 'family safety' topped the list as a source of worry that was rated by 88% of the respondents, followed by 'interaction with others' and 'own safety'. Approximately 16% rated 'food and beverage' as a source of stress for them in the first 2 weeks of the lockdown. The government and varsities' coordinated initiatives and measures such as food aid and disseminating essential information by dedicated spokespeople may have softened the negative impact of a pandemic, isolation and uncertain situations on the stranded mental health students.

Keywords

• covid-19
• days
• early
• justice
• malaysia
• movement control order
• well