Psychometric Analysis for fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and its association with depression in patients with diabetes: A cross sectional study from a Tertiary Care Centre in Karachi, Pakistan

• Published in: Diabetes & metabolic syndrome clinical research & reviews 2021-05, Vol.15 (3), p.733-737
• Main Authors: Basit, Khalid Abdul, Zafar, Awn Bin, Fawwad, Asher, Waris, Nazish, Shaheen, Fariha, Basit, Abdul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Diabetic; Fear of COVID-19 scale; Pakistan; Psychometric properties
• ISSN: 1871-4021; 1878-0334
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2021.03.008

To assess the psychometric properties of the Fear of COVID-19 (FCV–19S) scale and to determine its associated factors among the Pakistani patients with diabetes. This observational study was conducted in 24-h helpline service, a department of Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIDE). Study duration was from August to September 2020. The target population was registered adult patients with type 2 diabetes aged >16 years. Baseline demographic details were obtained from hospital management system of BIDE. Forward-backward translation method was used to translate the existing Fear scale (FCV–19S). Symptoms of depressive disorder were assessed through Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9). Total of 380 participants with mean age 51.93 ± 12.03 years contributed in the study. Three factors loading and item correlation of fear COVID-19 explained 96% of total variance having unidimensional Cronbach’s alpha of 0.881. All demographic indicators that showed significance in univariate model were included in multivariate model. Females had more fear for COVID-19 compared to males (OR = 1.73, 95% CI (1.15–2.6)), whereas current smokers had also showed 4 times more fear than non-smokers (OR = 4.19, 95% CI (1.18–14.83). Depression assessed by PHQ9 showed maximum fear of COVID-19 in participants with moderate depression. FCV-19S had adequate psychometric properties for assessing effects of pandemic in people with diabetes attending tertiary care center. •The FCV-19S is considered to be a valid tool for assessing fear of COVID-19 in patients with diabetes.•COVID 19 has profound effects on serious mental disorders in low middle-income countries (LMICs).•Depression measured by using PHQ9 showed most of the participants with mild depression.•Females were significantly highly associated with presence of fear regarding COVID-19.