Background and aims: This online cross-sectional study investigated the severity of depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms among university students and determined the association between various factors and the levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic after the movement control order (MCO) was lifted. Methods: A total of 316 participants were administered a self-report questionnaire that collected data on sociodemographic attributes, personal characteristics, COVID-19-related stressors, religious coping, and clinical characteristics. In addition, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were administered. Results: Regarding depression, 15.5%, 11.7%, and 9.2% of the participants reported mild, moderate, and severe to extremely severe depression, respectively. For anxiety, 7.0%, 16.5%, and 13.2% of the respondents had mild, moderate, and severe to extremely severe anxiety, respectively. Moreover, 26.3% of participants had mild stress, 9.5% had moderate stress, and 6.6% had severe to extremely severe stress. The multiple linear regression model revealed that frustration because of loss of daily routine and study disruption and having preexisting medical, depressive, and anxiety disorders were associated with elevated depressive symptoms, while a greater degree of family and friends social support was associated with less depressive symptoms after adjusting for age, gender, and marital status. It was also found that frustration because of study disruption and having preexisting medical, depressive, and anxiety disorders were associated with elevated anxiety symptoms, while being enrolled in medicine-based courses and having a greater degree of family support were factors associated with less anxiety symptoms after adjusting for age, gender, and marital status. Conclusion: There is a need to conduct a longitudinal study in the future to confirm the causal relationship between the significant predictive factors and depression and anxiety identified in this study, and maintenance of a persistent flow of academic activities and social interaction may be of utmost importance to safeguard the mental wellbeing of university students.

This study investigated the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress and determined the association between various factors, social support, and depression, anxiety, and stress among university healthcare workers in Malaysia after the government lifted the movement control order (MCO) put in place to curb the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This online, cross-sectional survey recruited 399 participants from two university hospitals, and they were administered a self-reported questionnaire on demographic, personal, and clinical characteristics, as well as COVID-19-related stressors and coping. In addition, they completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) to measure perceived social support, as well as the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to assess depression, anxiety, and stress. We found that the prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and stress were 21.8%, 31.6%, and 29.1%, respectively. Participants with moderate to extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress made up 13.3%, 25.8%, and 8.1% of the sample, respectively. Being single or divorced, fear of frequent exposure to COVID-19 patients, agreeing that the area of living had a high prevalence of COVID-19 cases, uncertainty regarding the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in the area of living, and a history of pre-existing psychiatric illnesses were associated with higher odds of depression, anxiety, and stress. Conversely, having more than three children and greater perceived friend support were associated with lower odds of depression, anxiety, and stress. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress remained elevated even after the MCO was lifted.

Burnout and mental health issues are common among healthcare workers. Burnout and mental ill-health may also adversely affect quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout, mental ill-health, and QOL among employees of Hospital Bentong in Pahang state, Malaysia. This was a 2-week, cross-sectional online survey for Hospital Bentong employees. It consisted of (i) sociodemographic data, (ii) respondents’ perceptions, (iii) Malay-version Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), (iv) 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS-21), and (v) WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument. In total, 52.4% of hospital employees (N = 251) participated in the study. The burnout rates were 17.5% (personal burnout), 13.9% (work burnout), and 6.0% (client burnout). The prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and stress were 18.7, 38.6, and 12.0%, respectively. In multivariate regression analysis, personal burnout was associated with Malay ethnicity [odds ratio (OR) = 4.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.41–18.17], management and professional position (OR = 3.89, 95% CI = 1.34–11.29), and having financial problem (OR = 3.29, 95% CI = 1.53–7.06). Work burnout was associated with management and professional position (OR = 7.26, 95% CI = 1.84–28.59), having problem with colleagues (OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.08–7.50), and having financial problem (OR = 4.41, 95% CI = 1.82–10.72), while age (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.00–1.25) and male gender (OR = 7.14, 95% CI = 2.00–25.55) were significant factors for client burnout. There were moderate-to-strong correlations between CBI, DASS-21, and WHOQOL-BREF scores (P values <0.01). In mediation analysis, mental ill-health was shown to have significant mediating effect in the relationship between burnout and poor QOL. Such findings need to be replicated across different hospital settings. Studies on effectiveness strategies to manage identified issues will be required.

Introduction: Marital issues among gynecologic cancer survivors are common but complex. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sociodemographic and clinical factors, including sexual dysfunction and marital satisfaction among Malaysian gynecologic cancer survivors.Methods: A cross-sectional survey of married women with gynecologic cancers was conducted at a Malaysian university hospital. Sociodemographic and clinical data were gathered. Sexual dysfunction was measured using the Malay Version Female Sexual Function Index (MVFSFI), while marital satisfaction was evaluated with the Malay Version Golombok Rust Inventory for Marital Satisfaction (MVGRIMS).Results: A total of 116 patients participated in this study. The median age was 59.0 years (Interquartile range, IQR: 49.0–67.0 years); the median duration of marriage was 32 years (IQR: 20.0–40.8 years). 80.2% had a secondary and lower level of education. 37.9% of study subjects (n = 44) reported poor-and below-levels of marital satisfaction, which was equivalent to MVGRIMS transformed scores of >5. The median FSFI total score was 49.9 (IQR: 2.0–63.0). MVGRIMS transformed score correlated significantly with all MVFSFI sub-scores. In logistic regression, lower educational levels were associated with poor marital satisfaction [primary, (adjusted Odds Ratio) aOR = 12.67, 95% CI: 1.40–114.87; secondary: aOR = 11.52, 95% CI: 1.39–95.72], while higher MVFSFI total score reduced the likelihood of poor marital satisfaction (aOR = 0.979, 95% CI: 0.964–0.994).Conclusion: Both sexual dysfunction and low education level may affect marital satisfaction among gynecologic cancer survivors. Targeted efforts focusing on sex education for patients may help to improve marital satisfaction.

Background: Sexual dysfunction is a major issue among gynaecological cancer survivors. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among survivors of gynaecological cancer in Malaysia and to determine its risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted of 116 married women with gynaecological cancer who attended the gynaeoncology and oncology clinics at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. Sexual dysfunction was measured using the Malay Version Female Sexual Function Index (MVFSFI). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the risk factors of female sexual dysfunction. Results: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among gynaecological cancer survivors was 60% (70 out of 116). Sexual dissatisfaction was the most prevalent domain of sexual dysfunction at 68.1%. Sexual dysfunction was significantly associated with low education levels (Primary level, AOR = 4.92, 95% CI: 1.12–21.63; secondary level, AOR = 4.06, 95% CI: 1.14–14.44). Non-Malays were significantly more likely to have sexual dysfunction compared with Malays (AOR = 3.57, 95% CI: 1.16–11.06). In terms of treatment, combinations of surgery and radiotherapy (AOR = 4.66, 95% CI: 1.01–21.47) as well as surgery and chemoradiation (AOR = 5.77, 95% CI: 1.20–27.85) were considered. Conclusions: Gynaecological cancer survivors with lower education levels, non-Malay ethnicity, and receiving treatment combinations of surgery and radiotherapy or surgery and chemoradiation have a higher risk of sexual dysfunction. A holistic approach in managing the various sociocultural and clinical issues is required to prevent sexual dysfunction among these patients.

Telepsychiatry formed part of the Australian mental health response to COVID-19, but relevant reviews pre- and post-pandemic are sparse. This scoping review aimed to map the literature on telepsychiatry in Australia and identify key research priorities. We searched databases (Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCO Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection, Proquest databases, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and reference lists from January 1990 to December 2022. Keywords included telepsychiatry, videoconferencing, telephone consultation, psychiatry, mental health, and Australia. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts. We identified 96 publications, one-third of which appeared since 2020. Extracted data included article types, service types, usage levels, outcome measures, perceptions, and research gaps. Most publications were quantitative studies (n = 43) and narrative reports of services (n = 17). Seventy-six papers reported mostly publicly established services. Videoconferencing alone was the most common mode of telepsychiatry. There was increased use over time, with the emergence of metropolitan telepsychiatry during the pandemic. Few papers used validated outcome measures (n = 5) or conducted economic evaluations (n = 4). Content analysis of the papers identified perceptions of patient (and caregiver) benefits, clinical care, service sustainability, and technology capability/capacity. Benefits such as convenience and cost-saving, clinical care issues, and implementation challenges were mentioned. Research gaps in patient perspectives, outcomes, clinical practice, health economics, usage patterns, and technological issues were identified. There is consistent interest in, and growth of, telepsychiatry in Australia. The identified perception themes might serve as a framework for future research on user perspectives and service integration. Other research areas include usage trends, outcome measures, and economic evaluation.