Mahsa Ahmadi’s research while affiliated with Afghanistan Center for Epidemiological Studies and other places

Background and Aims Sleep is a complex physiological process during which the body and mind enter a period of rest. For a healthy lifestyle, different cohort groups can be affected in different ways. One such cohort is healthcare workers (HCWs)—an unexplored group in Afghanistan. Therefore, the present study examined the association between a range of sociodemographic factors including having night shift work and sleep quality among Afghan HCWs. Methods A cross‐sectional survey was administered in January 2023 among HCWs (N = 342) in the Herat province of Afghanistan. The survey examined sleep quality and its association with a range of sociodemographic factors among HCWs. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association of sleep quality with sociodemographic characteristics among HCWs. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess the sleep quality among HCWs. Results A total of 342 HCWs participated in the present study with an age range of 18 to 60 years. The mean age of the participants was 28.90 years (SD ± 8.10). Just over half of the participants were male (50.3%). Of the 342 participants, 58.5% reported poor sleep quality. Being married status, having higher number of children, not being a doctor, having low economic status, working night shifts, and having a traumatic event occur during past month were among the main variables associated with sleep quality among Afghan HCWs. Multiple regression analysis indicated that having high income [negatively] (AOR = 4.132, p = 0.002), working night shifts [positively] (AOR = 0.288, p < 0.001), and having a traumatic event occur during past month [positively] (AOR = 0.504, p = 0.007) were significantly associated with sleep quality. Conclusion The study suggests the need for Afghan health employers to create a healthy work environment that prioritizes the well‐being of their employees by limiting overtime hours, providing rest breaks during long shifts, and ensuring that HCWs have access to necessary resources for coping with work‐related stressors. These policies would promote the overall health and well‐being of the workforce and would likely lead to better patient care outcomes.

Background The present study examined the quality of life and its relationship with socio-demographic characteristics among eye patients. Methods A cross-sectional survey was administered from January 2022 to April 2022. Data were collected from participants with eye diseases (N = 617) in the Herat province of Afghanistan. Results Of the 617 participants, 63.4% had poor physical quality of life and 14.9% had poor mental quality of life. Multiple regression analysis indicated that poor physical quality of life was significantly associated with being above 54 years old (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.15, p = .0048), being female (AOR = 3.58. p < 0.01), being illiterate (AOR = 3.31, p = 0.01), being unemployed (AOR = 1.93, p = 0.04), and experiencing a traumatic event during the past month (AOR = 2.06, p = 0.02). Poor mental quality of life was associated with occupational status (being unemployed) (AOR = 3.62, p = 0.05), and experiencing a traumatic event in the past month (AOR = 3.49, p < 0.01). Conclusion The present study provides a novel contribution to the field eye diseases and quality of life especially in relation to Afghanistan where there has been very little research in this area. The results indicate that public health authorities in Afghanistan should implement policies to improve mental and physical aspects of quality of life of patients with eye diseases as well as formulating strategies to help improve it.

Background During the period of adolescence, several major developmental changes occur that can have significant impact on an individual’s brain structure and functioning through their entire life. Aims The present study aimed to examine the association between depression and self-esteem alongside specific sociodemographic factors among school-going adolescents living under the rule of Taliban. Methods A cross-sectional survey study was conducted with adolescents (n = 452) from 20 randomly selected public primary, secondary and high schools of Herat province (Afghanistan) out of the 86 schools registered in Herat Education Department. The survey included the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) and Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Results Two-thirds of adolescents reported depression symptoms (65.3%) and 86.3% reported poor self-esteem. Multiple regression analysis indicated that (i) mother's education level was significantly associated with depression symptoms and (ii) low-income economic status was significantly associated with self-esteem. Conclusion As well as being one of the few studies in Afghanistan, the present study is one of the very few to assess the association between class group, self-esteem, and depression symptoms. These findings may be used by healthcare authorities and school administrators to raise awareness and implement strategies to facilitate self-esteem among school school-going adolescents.

Objectives According to the World Health Organization, depression is a common mental health illness that is characterised by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. The present study examined the association of two mental health variables (ie, depression, anxiety) with quality of life (QoL) and the sociodemographic characteristics of Afghan women living in urban areas under the rule of Taliban government in Afghanistan. Design Cross-sectional study administered between 10 November 2021 to 25 December 2021 among women. Setting Across major provinces of Afghanistan (Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kabul and Samangan). Measurements Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Data entry was carried out using Microsoft Excel 2016. And then exported to IBM SPSS V.26 for Microsoft Windows. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association of depression, anxiety with QoL and sociodemographic characteristics among women (N=438). Results The prevalence of depression symptoms was 80.4%, and the prevalence of mild to extremely severe anxiety was 81.0%. Depression symptoms among Afghan women were associated with being older, having more children, lower education level, other individuals’ bad behaviour, bad events experienced in the past month, and feeling physically ill. Multiple regression analysis indicated that low monthly household income (adjusted OR, AOR 2.260; 95% CI 1.179 to 4.331, p=0.014) poor physical domain of QoL (AOR 4.436; 95% CI 1.748 to 11.256, p=0.002) and poor psychological domain of QoL (AOR 23.499; 95% CI 7.737 to 71.369, p<0.001) were significantly associated with depression. Conclusion The prevalence of depression was high among women living under the government of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Considering the high prevalence of depression, anxiety and their impact on QoL and the overall quality of healthcare services, international health organisations should implement programmes for regular screening of depression and anxiety, and there should be psychological counselling services available for vulnerable women living under the government of the Taliban.

Background According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the world faces numerous challenges, including disparities in the availability and quality of eyecare services for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. No previous study in Afghanistan has ever examined both mental and physical component of quality of life among patients with eye diseases. Therefore, present study examined the quality of life and its relationship with socio-demographic characteristics among this vulnerable group. Methods A cross-sectional survey was administered from January 2022 to April 2022. Data were collected from participants with eye diseases (N = 617) in the Herat province of Afghanistan. Results Of the 617 participants, 63.4% had poor physical quality of life and 14.9% had poor mental quality of life. Among participants, the main variables associated with physical and mental quality of life were age, gender, marital status, education level, monthly income, occupation, using social media, and a traumatic event occurring during the past month. Multiple regression analysis indicated that poor physical quality of life was significantly associated with with being above 54 years old (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.15, p = .0048), being female (AOR = 3.58. p < 0.01), being illiterate (AOR = 3.31, p = 0.01), being unemployed (AOR = 1.93, p = 0.04), and experiencing a traumatic event during the past month (AOR = 2.06, p = 0.02). Poor mental quality of life was associated occupational status (being unemployed) (AOR = 3.62, p = 0.05), and experiencing a traumatic event in the past month (AOR = 3.49, p < 0.01). Conclusion The present study provides a novel contribution to the field eye diseases and quality of life especially in relation to Afghanistan where there has been very little research in this area. The results indicate that public health authorities in Afghanistan should implement policies to raise awareness regarding the quality of life of patients with eye diseases as well as formulating strategies to help improve it.

Background Sleep is a complex physiological process during which the body and mind enter a period of rest. For a healthy lifestyle, different cohort groups can be affected in different ways. One such cohort is healthcare workers (HCWs) – an unexplored group in Afghanistan. Therefore, the present study examined the association between a range of socio-demographic factors including having night shift work and sleep quality among Afghan HCWs. Methods A cross-sectional survey was administered in January 2023 among HCWs (N = 342) in the Herat province of Afghanistan. The survey examined sleep quality and its association with a range of socio-demographic factors among HCWs. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association of sleep quality with socio-demographic characteristics among HCWs. Results Of the 342 participants, 58.5% reported poor sleep quality. Married marital status, having higher number of children, not being a doctor, low economic status, working night shifts, and traumatic event occurring during past month were among the main variables associated with sleep quality among Afghan HCWs. Multiple regression analysis indicated having high income [negatively] (AOR = 4.132, p = 0.002), working night shifts [positively] (AOR = 0.288, p < 0.001), and traumatic event occurring during past month [positively] (AOR = 0.504, p = 0.007) were significantly associated with sleep quality. Conclusion The study suggests the need for Afghan health employers to create a healthy work environment that prioritizes the well-being of their employees by limiting overtime hours, providing rest breaks during long shifts, and ensuring that HCWs have access to necessary resources for coping with work-related stressors. These policies would promote the overall health and well-being of the workforce and would likely lead to better patient care outcomes.

Background: During the period of adolescence, several major developmental changes occur that can have significant impact on an individual’s brain structure and functioning through their entire life. The present study examined the association between depression and self-esteem alongside specific sociodemographic factors among school-going adolescents living under the rule of Taliban. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted with adolescents (n=452) from 20 randomly selected public primary, secondary and high schools of Herat province (Afghanistan) out of the 86 schools registered in Herat Education Department. Results: Two-thirds of adolescents reported depression symptoms (65.3%) and 86.3% reported poor self-esteem. Multiple regression analysis indicated that (i) mother's education level was significantly associated with depression symptoms and (ii) low-income economic status was significantly associated with self-esteem. Conclusion: As well as being one of the few studies in Afghanistan, the present study is one of the very few to assess the association between class group, self-esteem, and depression symptoms. These findings may be used by healthcare authorities and school administrators to raise awareness and implement strategies to facilitate self-esteem among school school-going adolescents.