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Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the front line of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak response. They have faced great risks to both physical and mental health. We aimed to assess the psychological effect of COVID-19 among ancillary hospital staff. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 267 on-duty ancillary hospital staff using a semi-structured questionnaire to assess their psychological status and risk perception. In addition, their knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) and risk perception were also assessed. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to screen for psychological distress. Results: Among 267 participants, the mean (±SD) age was 33.5 (7.6) years. The majority knew about the symptoms of COVID-19 (88.4%), droplet spread (99.3%), and the importance of isolation (99.3%). About 35.2% were worried about infecting family members, while 26.2% were worried about colleagues at the frontline. Only 38.9% of them had a good knowledge score. Participants with high school and above education level had significantly good knowledge about COVID-19 (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.17- 3.39) than those with primary school or below. Being female (OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.17-3.39) and working with COVID-19 patients (OR 3.88, 95% CI 1.77-8.47, P = 0.001) was associated with psychological distress. Conclusion: The ancillary hospital staff had insufficient knowledge regarding the risk factors of COVID-19 but possessed positive attitudes and practices. Continued health education and appropriate psychological interventions may improve understanding and reduce psychological distress.

Introduction: Use of internet has increased exponentially worldwide with prevalence of internet addiction ranging from 1.6% to 18 % or even higher. Depression and insomnia has been linked with internet addiction and overuse in several studies. Aims and Objectives: Present study has looked in to pattern and prevalence of internet addiction in university students. This study has also explored the association of internet addiction with depression and insomnia. Material and Methods: In this cross sectional study 954 subjects were enrolled who had been using internet for past 6 months. Information regarding pattern of use and socio demographic characteristics were recorded. Internet addiction Test (IAT), PHQ-9,and insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were applied to measure internet addiction, depression and insomnia respectively. Results: Among 954 subjects, 518 (60.59%) were male and 376 (39.41%) were female with mean age of 23.81 (SD ± 3.72). 15.51% study subjects were internet addicts and 49.19% were over users. Several parameters including graduation level, time spent per day on line, place of internet use, smoking and alcohol had significant association with internet addiction. Internet addiction was predominantly associated with depression and insomnia. Conclusion: Internet addiction is a rising concern among youth. Several parameters including gender, time spent on line, alcohol, smoking predicts higher risk of internet addiction. Depression and insomnia are more common in internet addicts and overusers.