AUTHOR=Le Xuan Thi Thanh , Dang Anh Kim , Toweh Jayson , Nguyen Quang Nhat , Le Huong Thi , Do Toan Thi Thanh , Phan Hanh Bich Thi , Nguyen Thao Thanh , Pham Quan Thi , Ta Nhung Kim Thi , Nguyen Quynh Thi , Nguyen Anh Ngoc , Van Duong Quan , Hoang Men Thi , Pham Hai Quang , Vu Linh Gia , Tran Bach Xuan , Latkin Carl A. , Ho Cyrus S. H. , Ho Roger C. M. TITLE=Evaluating the Psychological Impacts Related to COVID-19 of Vietnamese People Under the First Nationwide Partial Lockdown in Vietnam JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry VOLUME=11 YEAR=2020 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00824 DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00824 ISSN=1664-0640 ABSTRACT=

This is the first time in Vietnam that people have undergone “social distancing” to minimize the spreading of infectious disease, COVID-19. These deliberate preemptive strategies may have profound impacts on the mental health of the population. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the psychological impacts of COVID-19 on Vietnamese people and associated factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study during a one-week social distancing and isolation from April 7 to 14, 2020, in Vietnam. A snowball sampling technique was carried out to recruit participants. Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) was utilized to assess the psychological impacts of the COVID-19. Of all participants, 233 (16.4%) reported low level of PTSS; 76 (5.3%) rated as moderate, and 77 (5.4%) reported extreme psychological conditions. Being female, above 44 years old, or having a higher number of children in the family were positively associated with a higher level of psychological distress. Being self-employed/unemployed/retired was associated with a higher score of intrusion and hyperarousal subscale. Individuals who have a history of touching objects with the possibility of spreading coronavirus (utensils) were related to a higher level of avoidance. There were relatively high rates of participants suffering from PTSS during the first national lockdown related to COVID-19. Comprehensive strategies for the screen of psychological problems and to support high-risk groups are critical, especially females, middle-aged adults and the elderly, affected laborers, and health care professionals.