The COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented both in magnitude and in the fallout. While considerable attention has been given to the mental health of patients, less is known about the effects of mitigation strategies like lockdowns on the general population. We conducted a study in a rural set-up to evaluate anxiety and depression consequent upon the imposition of lockdowns during the epidemic.

To analyze the relation between COVID-19 lockdowns and anxiety and depression among the rural population.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted telephonically and online through e-forms. Two study tools, GAD-7 and PHQ-9, were used to objectively evaluate anxiety and depression, respectively, among the study participants. Data was collected by the snowball sampling technique and subjected to statistical analysis.

Adolescents, females, unmarried participants, students, those living in families with more than four members, and those hailing from plains were more likely to be depressed. Middle-aged participants, females, married participants, private employees, those living in families with more than four members, and those hailing from plains had higher anxiety levels.

COVID-19 mitigation strategies had significant effects on the mental health of the general population, even in rural areas, with some particular groups affected more than others.