A cross sectional study on state and trait anxiety in context of CoVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: Novel Coronavirus spread rapidly across the world and led to CoVID-19 pandemic. India reported the spread of infection, in the view of which a nation-wide lockdown was announced in middle of March 2020. AIMS: This study aims to asses variations of anxiety in Indian population arising due to the off-setting of routine by lockdown and other extra ordinary measures taken due to CoVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: It was a cross sectional study carried out using an online questionnaire which consisted of three parts: a) informed consent, b) basic demographic details and three yes/no questions, c) the state and trait anxiety questionnaire. Data collected was analysed using appropriate statistical tests. RESULTS: Majority of the respondents (68.52%) reported clinically significant anxiety due to the ongoing pandemic. The mean score of state anxiety was 53.49 ±7.67. Regression analysis showed that being male (AOR:0.561, CI: .369-.853, p:0.007), living in rural area (AOR: 0.25, CI: .121-.518, p: <0.01) higher education (AOR:0.545, CI: .307-.968, p: 0.038) and working from home (AOR: 0.294, CI: 0.191-.452, p: <0.01) were predictors of lower scores on state anxiety subscale. CONCLUSION: This study highlights that those who experience higher trait anxiety suffer worse when stress rises rendering them highly vulnerable to developing psychiatric disorders. At-risk individuals in this study were females, younger adults, homemakers, urban residents and those with low education. Screening and early intervention should be planned to benefit such at-risk individuals.