Intention to Seek Mental Health Services During Covid-19 Pandemic among Adults Population

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has affected not only physical health condition but also mental health. However, mental health services are still unattractive to the public, so treatment gaps are still high. This study aimed to determine the factors related to people\u2019s intention to seek mental health services to overcome mental health problem.

Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from May to September 2020. A total sample was 3,983 study subjects over 15 years of age was selected for this study. The dependent variable was intention to seek mental health service. The independent variables were social support and disease condition. An online questionnaire was randomly distributed and snowballed throughout 34 pro�vinces in Indonesia. The data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.

Results: Intention to seek mental health service increased with the presence of psychiatric history (OR= 4.74; 95% CI= 3.25 to 6.93; p<0.001), history of infectious disease (OR= 4.90; 95% CI= 2.21 to 10.84; p<0.001), talking to others (OR= 1.38; 95% CI= 1.07 to 1.58; p=0.007), peer support (OR= 1.38; 95% CI= 1.07 to 1.78; p=0.014), and moderate anxiety (OR= 1.73; 95% CI= 1.08 to 2.79; p= 0.024). Mild depression (OR= 0.66; 95%CI= 0.51 to 0.86; p= 0.002) and moderate depression (OR= 0.62; 95% CI= 0.38 to 1.00; p=0.053) prevented a person from seeking health services.

Conclusion: Intention to seek mental health service increases with the presence of psychiatric history, history of infectious disease, talking to others, peer support, and moderate anxiety. Mild and moderate depression prevents a person from seeking health services.