The severity of mental health problems in healthcare professionals and its associated risk factors during COVID-19 pandemic
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Abstract
Objective: This study assesses the severity of mental health problems in healthcare professionals (HCPs) and its associated risk factors during COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary hospital in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was done from November 01 to 15, 2020. Data was collected by using a web-based self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis, cross tabs, and logistic regressions were utilized. Results: Out of 238 HCPs, 54.6% of them had a mental health problem. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 44.1%, 48.3%, and 29.0%, respectively. Cigarette smoking was the only factor associated with depression. Being female, a cigarette smoker, and previously diagnosed with COVID-19 were associated with anxiety, while cigarette smoking and previous COVID-19 suspect had a significant association with stress. Conclusion: The burden of mental health problems among HCPs is high. The Federal Ministry of Health should incorporate psychosocial support for healthcare professionals during pandemics. This study highlights the need for developing policies to decrease mental health problems among HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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13. Elbay R, Kurtulmuş A, Arpacıoğlu S, Karadere E. Depression , anxiety , stress levels of physicians and associated factors in Covid-19 pandemics. Psychiatry Res. 2020;290:113130.
14. Tan BYQ, Chew NWS, Lee GKH, Jing M, Goh Y, Yeo LLL, et al. Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care workers in Singapore. Ann Intern Med. 2020;173(4):–317-20.
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16. Aqeel M, Abbas J, Shuja KH, Rehna T, Ziapour A, Yousaf I, et al. The influence of illness perception, anxiety and depression disorders on students mental health during COVID-19 outbreak in Pakistan: a Web-based cross-sectional survey. Int J Hum Rights Healthc. 2021;15(1):17-30.
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18. Su Z, Wen J, Abbas J, McDonnell D, Cheshmehzangi A, Li X, et al. A race for a better understanding of COVID-19 vaccine non-adopters. Brain Behav Immun Health. 2020;9:100159.
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20. Saragih ID, Tonapa SI, Saragih IS, Advani S, Batubara SO, Suarilah I, et al. Global prevalence of mental health problems among healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic : a systematic review and meta- analysis. Int J Nurs Stud. 2021;121:104002.
21. Si M, Su XY, Jiang Y, Wang WJ, Gu XF, Ma L, et al. Psychological impact of COVID-19 on medical care workers in China. Infect Dis Poverty. 2020;9(1):113.
22. Giusti EM, Pedroli E, D’Aniello GE, Stramba Badiale C, Pietrabissa G, Manna C, et al. The psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on health professionals: a cross-sectional study. Front Psychol. 2020;11:1684.
23. Bachilo E V, Barylnik YB, Shuldyakov AA, Efremov AA, Novikov DE. Mental health of medical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia : results of a cross-sectional study. Front Psychol. 2020;11:1684.
24. Lovibond PF, Lovibond SH. The structure of negative emotional states: comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck depression and anxiety inventories. Behav Res Ther. 1995;33(3):335-43.
25. Olaya B, Péreze-Moreno M, Bueno-Notivol J, Gracia-García P, Lasheras I, Santabarbara J. Prevalence of depression among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak : a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Med. 2021;10(15):3406.
26. Ornell F, Schuch JB, Sordi AO, Kessler FHP. “ Pandemic fear ” and COVID-19 : mental health burden and strategies. Braz J Psychiatry.2020;42(3):232–5.
27. Aylie NS, Mekonen MA, Mekuria RM. The psychological impacts of COVID-19 pandemic among university students in Bench-Sheko zone , South-west Ethiopia : a community-based cross-sectional study. Psychol Res Behav Manag . 2020;13:813-21
28. Disasa B, Teshome E. The impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on mental health among residents of Assela Town. Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2021;14:957–70.
29. Wańkowicz P, Szylińska A, Rotter I. Assessment of mental health factors among health professionals depending on their contact with COVID-19 patients. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(16):5849.
30. Chen J, Liu X, Wang D, Jin Y, He M, Ma Y, et al. Risk factors for depression and anxiety in healthcare workers deployed during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2021;56(1):47–55.
31. Simegn W, Dagnew B, Yeshaw Y, Yitayih S, Woldegerima B, Dagne H. Depression , anxiety , stress and their associated factors among Ethiopian University students during an early stage of COVID-19 pandemic : an online-based cross-sectional survey. PLoS One. 2021;16(5):1–15:e0251670.
32. Akalu TY, Gelaye KA, Bishaw MA, Tilahun SY, Yeshaw Y, Azale T, et al. Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms and its associated factors among residents of Gondar Town during the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2021;14:1073–83.
33. Shahbaz S, Ashraf MZ, Zakar R, Fischer F. Psychosocial, emotional and professional challenges faced by female healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 outbreak in Lahore, Pakistan: a qualitative study. BMC Women’s Health. 2021;21:197.
34. Tee ML, Tee CA, Anlacan JP, Aligam KJG, Reyes PWC, Kuruchittham V, et, al. Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. J Affect Disord. 2020;277:379-91.
35. Stanton R, To QG, Khalesi S, Williams SL, Alley SJ, Thwaite TL, et al. Depression, anxiety and stress during COVID-19: associations with changes in physical activity, sleep, tobacco and alcohol use in Australian adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(11):4065.
36. Miller LR, Mukherjee S, Ansah TA, Das SK. Cigarette smoke and dopaminergic system. J Biochem Mol Toxicol. 2007 ;21(6):325-35.
37. Dagne H, Atnafu A, Alemu K, Azale T, Yitayih S, Dagnew B, et al. Anxiety and associated factors among Ethiopian health professionals at early stage of COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia. PLoS One. 2021;16(6): e0252664.
38. Simonetti V, Durante A, Ambrosca R, Arcadi P, Graziano G, Pucciarelli G, et al. Anxiety, sleep disorders and self-efficacy among nurses during COVID-19 pandemic: a large cross-sectional study. J Clin Nurs. 2021;30(9–10):1360–71.
39. Robb CE, de Jager CA, Ahmadi-Abhari S, Giannakopoulou P, Udeh-Momoh C, McKeand J, et al. Associations of social isolation with anxiety and depression during the early COVID-19 pandemic: a survey of older adults in London, UK. Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:591120.
40. Pigott TA. Anxiety disorders in women. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2003;26(3):621–72.
41. Hurissi E, Abu-jabir E, Mohammed A, Mahnashi M, Alharbi S, Alharbi A, et al. Assessment of new-onset depression and anxiety associated with COVID-19. Middle East Curr Psychiatry. 2021;28(1):33.
2. El‑Zoghby SM, Soltan EM, Salama HM. Impact of the COVID-19 Ppandemic on mental health and social support among adult Egyptians. J Community Health. 2020;45(4):689-95.
3. Madani A, Boutebal SE, Bryant CR. The psychological impact of confinement linked to the Coronavirus epidemic COVID-19 in Algeria. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(10):3604.
4. Ambelu A, Birhanu Z, Yitayih Y, Kebede Y, Mecha M, Abafita J, et al. Psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia: an online cross-sectional study to identify the need for equal attention of intervention. Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2020;20(1):22.
5. Maqsood A, Abbas J, Rehman G, Mubeen R. The paradigm shift for educational system continuance in the advent of COVID-19 pandemic : mental health challenges and reflections. Curr Res Behav Sci. 2021;2:100011.
6. Yoosefi Lebni J, Abbas J, Moradi F, Salahshoor MR, Chaboksavar F, Irandoost SF, et al. How the COVID-19 pandemic effected economic, social, political, and cultural factors: a lesson from Iran. Int J Soc Psychiatry.z2021;67(3):298–300.
7. Kassaw C. The psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic among communities living in Dilla town, Ethiopia. Journal of PeerScientist 3(1): e100021.
8. Ofori AA, Osarfo J, Agbeno EK, Manu DO, Amoah E. Psychological impact of COVID-19 on health workers in Ghana : a multicentre , cross-sectional study. SAGE open Med. 2021;9:1-10.
9. Cai Z, Cui Q, Liu Z, Li J, Gong X, Liu J, et al. Nurses endured high risks of psychological problems under the epidemic of COVID-19 in a longitudinal study in Wuhan China. J Psychiatr Res.2020;131:132–7.
10. Abbas J, Wang D, Su Z, Ziapour A. The role of social media in the advent of COVID-19 pandemic: crisis management, mental health challenges and implications. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2021;14:1917–32.
11. Khanal P, Devkota N, Dahal M, Paudel K, Joshi D. Mental health impacts among health workers during COVID-19 in a low resource setting : a cross-sectional survey from Nepal. Global Health. 2020;16(1):89.
12. Luo M, Guo L, Yu M, Jiang W, Wang H. The psychological and mental impact of coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID- 19 ) on medical staff and general public – a systematic review and meta- analysis. Psychiatry Res. 2020;291:113190.
13. Elbay R, Kurtulmuş A, Arpacıoğlu S, Karadere E. Depression , anxiety , stress levels of physicians and associated factors in Covid-19 pandemics. Psychiatry Res. 2020;290:113130.
14. Tan BYQ, Chew NWS, Lee GKH, Jing M, Goh Y, Yeo LLL, et al. Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care workers in Singapore. Ann Intern Med. 2020;173(4):–317-20.
15. Abbas J. Crisis management, transnational healthcare challenges and opportunities: the intersection of COVID-19 pandemic and global mental health. Res Glob. 2021;3:100037.
16. Aqeel M, Abbas J, Shuja KH, Rehna T, Ziapour A, Yousaf I, et al. The influence of illness perception, anxiety and depression disorders on students mental health during COVID-19 outbreak in Pakistan: a Web-based cross-sectional survey. Int J Hum Rights Healthc. 2021;15(1):17-30.
17. NeJhaddadgar N, Ziapour A, Zakkipour G, Abbas J, Abolfathi M, Shabani M. Effectiveness of telephone-based screening and triage during COVID-19 outbreak in the promoted primary healthcare system: a case study in Ardabil province, Iran. Z Gesundh Wiss. 2022;30(5):1301-6.
18. Su Z, Wen J, Abbas J, McDonnell D, Cheshmehzangi A, Li X, et al. A race for a better understanding of COVID-19 vaccine non-adopters. Brain Behav Immun Health. 2020;9:100159.
19. Su Z, McDonnell D, Cheshmehzangi A, Abbas J, Li X, Cai Y. The promise and perils of Unit 731 data to advance COVID-19 research. BMJ Glob Health. 2021;6(5):e004772.
20. Saragih ID, Tonapa SI, Saragih IS, Advani S, Batubara SO, Suarilah I, et al. Global prevalence of mental health problems among healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic : a systematic review and meta- analysis. Int J Nurs Stud. 2021;121:104002.
21. Si M, Su XY, Jiang Y, Wang WJ, Gu XF, Ma L, et al. Psychological impact of COVID-19 on medical care workers in China. Infect Dis Poverty. 2020;9(1):113.
22. Giusti EM, Pedroli E, D’Aniello GE, Stramba Badiale C, Pietrabissa G, Manna C, et al. The psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on health professionals: a cross-sectional study. Front Psychol. 2020;11:1684.
23. Bachilo E V, Barylnik YB, Shuldyakov AA, Efremov AA, Novikov DE. Mental health of medical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia : results of a cross-sectional study. Front Psychol. 2020;11:1684.
24. Lovibond PF, Lovibond SH. The structure of negative emotional states: comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck depression and anxiety inventories. Behav Res Ther. 1995;33(3):335-43.
25. Olaya B, Péreze-Moreno M, Bueno-Notivol J, Gracia-García P, Lasheras I, Santabarbara J. Prevalence of depression among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak : a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Med. 2021;10(15):3406.
26. Ornell F, Schuch JB, Sordi AO, Kessler FHP. “ Pandemic fear ” and COVID-19 : mental health burden and strategies. Braz J Psychiatry.2020;42(3):232–5.
27. Aylie NS, Mekonen MA, Mekuria RM. The psychological impacts of COVID-19 pandemic among university students in Bench-Sheko zone , South-west Ethiopia : a community-based cross-sectional study. Psychol Res Behav Manag . 2020;13:813-21
28. Disasa B, Teshome E. The impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on mental health among residents of Assela Town. Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2021;14:957–70.
29. Wańkowicz P, Szylińska A, Rotter I. Assessment of mental health factors among health professionals depending on their contact with COVID-19 patients. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(16):5849.
30. Chen J, Liu X, Wang D, Jin Y, He M, Ma Y, et al. Risk factors for depression and anxiety in healthcare workers deployed during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2021;56(1):47–55.
31. Simegn W, Dagnew B, Yeshaw Y, Yitayih S, Woldegerima B, Dagne H. Depression , anxiety , stress and their associated factors among Ethiopian University students during an early stage of COVID-19 pandemic : an online-based cross-sectional survey. PLoS One. 2021;16(5):1–15:e0251670.
32. Akalu TY, Gelaye KA, Bishaw MA, Tilahun SY, Yeshaw Y, Azale T, et al. Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms and its associated factors among residents of Gondar Town during the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2021;14:1073–83.
33. Shahbaz S, Ashraf MZ, Zakar R, Fischer F. Psychosocial, emotional and professional challenges faced by female healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 outbreak in Lahore, Pakistan: a qualitative study. BMC Women’s Health. 2021;21:197.
34. Tee ML, Tee CA, Anlacan JP, Aligam KJG, Reyes PWC, Kuruchittham V, et, al. Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. J Affect Disord. 2020;277:379-91.
35. Stanton R, To QG, Khalesi S, Williams SL, Alley SJ, Thwaite TL, et al. Depression, anxiety and stress during COVID-19: associations with changes in physical activity, sleep, tobacco and alcohol use in Australian adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(11):4065.
36. Miller LR, Mukherjee S, Ansah TA, Das SK. Cigarette smoke and dopaminergic system. J Biochem Mol Toxicol. 2007 ;21(6):325-35.
37. Dagne H, Atnafu A, Alemu K, Azale T, Yitayih S, Dagnew B, et al. Anxiety and associated factors among Ethiopian health professionals at early stage of COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia. PLoS One. 2021;16(6): e0252664.
38. Simonetti V, Durante A, Ambrosca R, Arcadi P, Graziano G, Pucciarelli G, et al. Anxiety, sleep disorders and self-efficacy among nurses during COVID-19 pandemic: a large cross-sectional study. J Clin Nurs. 2021;30(9–10):1360–71.
39. Robb CE, de Jager CA, Ahmadi-Abhari S, Giannakopoulou P, Udeh-Momoh C, McKeand J, et al. Associations of social isolation with anxiety and depression during the early COVID-19 pandemic: a survey of older adults in London, UK. Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:591120.
40. Pigott TA. Anxiety disorders in women. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2003;26(3):621–72.
41. Hurissi E, Abu-jabir E, Mohammed A, Mahnashi M, Alharbi S, Alharbi A, et al. Assessment of new-onset depression and anxiety associated with COVID-19. Middle East Curr Psychiatry. 2021;28(1):33.
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 7 No 1 (2023): Winter (February) | |
| Section | Original article | |
| DOI | 10.18502/fem.v7i1.11693 | |
| Keywords | ||
| COVID-19 Ethiopia Healthcare Professionals Mental Health Problems Tertiary Hospital | ||
| Rights and permissions | |
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
How to Cite
1.
Getachew M, Tadesse H, Degefu N. The severity of mental health problems in healthcare professionals and its associated risk factors during COVID-19 pandemic. Front Emerg Med. 2022;7(1):e3.
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