Clinical and Demographic Characteristics in Schizophrenia Patients with and without a History of Taking Long-acting Injectable Antipsychotics: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study.

A pandemic is defined as a global epidemic that affects a large number of people and crosses international boundaries. In March 2020, the World Health Organization finally declared the novel coronavirus (COVID‐19) outbreak a pandemic. With more than 662 million confirmed cases and 6.7 million deaths worldwide between December 2019 and January 2023, COVID‐19 has surpassed previous pandemics in terms of magnitude and duration. The amalgamation of asymptomatic infections, atypical clinical manifestations, and lower mortality rate of COVID‐19 has not only had significant physical health implications but has also garnered attention for its immediate psychological impacts. Notably, studies from pandemics preceding COVID‐19, including 2003 SARS and 2009 H1N1, have revealed heightened levels of anxiety, fear, and panic among the population. Children have been particularly vulnerable to the widespread stressors and risk factors brought about by the pandemic. The pandemic has caused significant disruptions in the lives of both adults and children, leading to concerns about a mental health crisis. Mandatory lockdowns, fear, and uncertainty have resulted in immense distress among the population. Children, in particular, have been greatly affected, witnessing sickness and death within their families and communities, which adds to their vulnerability. Moreover, the pandemic has interfered with crucial aspects of childhood development, namely through social isolation, remote learning, and excessive exposure to COVID‐19‐related media. Additionally, there has been an alarming increase in cases of child abuse during the pandemic, further exacerbating the mental health challenges faced by children., All these factors contribute to short‐ and long‐term developmental, behavioral, and mental health risks in children. This study explores the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic and its known risk factors on the mental health of children. Prior to the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported anxiety prevalence rates of 6.6% and 10.5% in children aged 6–11 and 12–17 years, respectively., The global prevalence of childhood anxiety was estimated to be 6.5% as of 2015, using standardized diagnostic criteria in accordance with the () or and the () or .