The COVID-19 pandemic and mental health in Kazakhstan

Mergenova G. Rosenthal S.L. Myrkassymova A. Bukharbayeva A. Iskakova B. Izekenova A. Izekenova A. Alekesheva L. Yerdenova M. Karibayev K. Zhussupov B. Alimbekova G. Davis A.
16 August 2023 Cambridge University Press

Global Mental Health
2023 #10

The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impacts on mental health. We examined factors associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kazakhstan. We surveyed 991 adults in Kazakhstan in July 2021 using multistage stratified sampling. Depression and anxiety were measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-4. We conducted logistic regression to assess associations between depression and anxiety and sociobehavioral factors. Overall, 12.01% reported depressive symptoms and 8.38% anxiety. Higher likelihood of depression was associated with being female (AOR: 1.64; 95% CI [1.05, 2.55]), having experience with COVID-19 in the social environment (AOR: 1.85; 95% CI [1.1-3.14]), experiencing food insecurity (AOR: 1.80; 95% CI [1.11-2.89]), increased family conflict (AOR: 2.43; 95% CI [1.32-4.48]) and impaired healthcare access (AOR: 2.41; 95% CI [1.32-4.41]). Higher likelihood of anxiety was associated with being female (AOR: 3.43; 95% CI [1.91-6.15]), increased family conflict (AOR: 2.22; 95% CI [1.11-4.44]) and impaired healthcare access (AOR: 2.63; 95% CI [1.36-5.12]). Multiple factors were associated with mental health in Kazakhstan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which these factors and their associated mental health outcomes may persist.

anxiety , COVID-19 , depression , low and middle-income countries , mental health

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Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
Kenzhegali Sagadiyev University of International Business, Almaty, Kazakhstan
CIOM (Public Opinion Research Centre), Almaty, Kazakhstan
Columbia University, School of Social Work, New York, NY, United States

Global Health Research Center of Central Asia
Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University
Department of Psychiatry
Kenzhegali Sagadiyev University of International Business
CIOM (Public Opinion Research Centre)
Columbia University

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