EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND COPING METHODS IN TERTIARY HEALTHCARE FACILITY STAFF DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
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Keywords
Mental health, Healthcare staff, DASS 21 scale, Stress coping, Covid19.
Abstract
Context/Background: Health emergency situations like COVID-19 pandemic have taken an extensive level of toll on both physical and mental health of health-care workers since they bear the major burden of patient care. This study aims to assess the mental health status among healthcare workers, its epidemiological correlates during COVID-19 pandemic and the stress coping strategies by them.
Aims/Objectives: To study the mental health status of healthcare staff working in a tertiary heath facility and stress coping methods used during COVID19 pandemic
Methodology: A cross sectional study with universal sampling method was conducted using a semi structured questionnaire assessing mental health status of healthcare staff working in the hospital during COVID-19 pandemic via Google forms after approval from institutional ethics committee & fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics & Chi square test of significance were applied using Open-Epi software.
Results: 51.7% healthcare staff worked in high-risk areas and significantly higher proportion of moderate to extremely severe depression was observed in this group compared to those working in low-risk departments. Depression (18.8%), anxiety (20%) & stress (26%) levels were higher among clinical staff when compared with non-clinical staff. Excessive tiredness/lack of energy (37.7%) was the most commonly reported symptom & talking with friends/family (78%) was revealed as the primary measure to relieve stress. Discomfort due to extended use of PPE was significantly associated with experiencing anxiety among the healthcare workers (p =0.033)
Conclusions: A significant number of healthcare providers mainly doctors & nurses experienced depression, anxiety and stress while working during COVID-19 pandemic. Talking with friends/family, listening to music and Yoga/meditation were the most common stress relieving methods reported.
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Anupriya P Mohokar
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College Navi Mumbai
Violet N Pinto
Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College Navi Mumbai
Harshal M Mahajan
Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Jalgaon
Sumedha M Joshi
Professor & Head, Department of Community Medicine, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College Navi Mumbai
Aniruddha R Deoke
Professor & Head, Department of Community Medicine, NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences & RC, Nagpur
Aafreen F Veljee
Department of Community Medicine, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College Navi Mumbai