Consequences of COVID19-pandemic lockdown on Italian occupational physicians’ psychosocial health

COVID-19 was declared a pandemic on March 12, 2020. Italy has been the most affected country in the world, right after China. Healthcare workers (HCWs) were among the hardest hit by this event from both a working and psychological point of view. The aim of this web-based cross-sectional study is to assess the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on Italian Occupational Physicians’ well-being and psychological distress, in relation to demographic and occupational characteristic, lifestyle and habits during the lockdown period. We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey questionnaire from April 1 to April 21st, 2020. To evaluate the level of psychological distress and the level of well-being, the general Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index were utilized. Since the statistical assumptions were respected, we proceeded with an analysis of variance (ANOVA) to ascertain the differences between the averages of the scores of the GHQ-12. Doctors who live in the most affected regions have a prevalence of psychological distress higher than their colleagues from the rest of Italy. ANOVA shows significant differences relating to the female gender, and to the life changes provoked by the lockdown for example not feeling sheltered at home or suffering from loneliness. This study showed a high prevalence of psychological distress in occupational physicians. To prevent the occurrence of mental disorders among Occupational Physicians, it is urgent to put in place policies of psychological support and well-being preservation.

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Risk perception and psychological state of healthcare workers in referral hospitals during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, Uganda

BMC Psychology ◽

10.1186/s40359-021-00706-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Richard Migisha ◽

Alex Riolexus Ario ◽

Benon Kwesiga ◽

Lilian Bulage ◽

Daniel Kadobera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Risk Perception ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological State ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Referral Hospitals

Abstract Background Safeguarding the psychological well-being of healthcare workers (HCWs) is crucial to ensuring sustainability and quality of healthcare services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HCWs may be subject to excessive mental stress. We assessed the risk perception and immediate psychological state of HCWs early in the pandemic in referral hospitals involved in the management of COVID-19 patients in Uganda. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in five referral hospitals from April 20–May 22, 2020. During this time, we distributed paper-based, self-administered questionnaires to all consenting HCWs on day shifts. The questionnaire included questions on socio-demographics, occupational behaviors, potential perceived risks, and psychological distress. We assessed risk perception towards COVID-19 using 27 concern statements with a four-point Likert scale. We defined psychological distress as a total score > 12 from the 12-item Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). We used modified Poisson regression to identify factors associated with psychological distress. Results Among 335 HCWs who received questionnaires, 328 (98%) responded. Respondents’ mean age was 36 (range 18–59) years; 172 (52%) were male. The median duration of professional experience was eight (range 1–35) years; 208 (63%) worked more than 40 h per week; 116 (35%) were nurses, 52 (14%) doctors, 30 (9%) clinical officers, and 86 (26%) support staff. One hundred and forty-four (44%) had a GHQ-12 score > 12. The most common concerns reported included fear of infection at the workplace (81%), stigma from colleagues (79%), lack of workplace support (63%), and inadequate availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) (56%). In multivariable analysis, moderate (adjusted prevalence ratio, [aPR] = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–4.0) and high (aPR = 3.8, 95% CI 2.0–7.0) risk perception towards COVID-19 (compared with low-risk perception) were associated with psychological distress. Conclusions Forty-four percent of HCWs surveyed in hospitals treating COVID-19 patients during the early COVID-19 epidemic in Uganda reported psychological distress related to fear of infection, stigma, and inadequate PPE. Higher perceived personal risk towards COVID-19 was associated with increased psychological distress. To optimize patient care during the pandemic and future outbreaks, workplace management may consider identifying and addressing HCW concerns, ensuring sufficient PPE and training, and reducing infection-associated stigma.

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Comparison of the psychological health of students at the higher institutes of nursing and health techniques: A Moroccan multicentre study

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/00207640211062103 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002076402110621

Author(s):

Ali Ikrou ◽

Sam Gnanapragasam ◽

Redouane Abouqal ◽

Jihane Belayachi

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Academic Success ◽

Nursing Students ◽

Psychological Health ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Female Gender ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample

Background: Mental health is essential to students’ academic success as well as their ability to participate fully and meaningfully throughout all aspects of their lives and throughout their lifespan. Aims: This study aims to determine the psychological health status of Moroccan nursing and technique health students. In doing so, it also seeks to compare differences based on sociodemographic factors. Method: A multicenter cross-sectional study with a convenience sample was conducted with 2,054 participants in the academic year of 2018/2019. A set of socio-demographic information were collected, and The General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) was used. Results: The mean GHQ-12 score was 4.33 ± 2.61, and 58.7% respondents scored 4 and above in the GHQ-12 scores and thus were considered to be in psychological distress. Students’ psychological distress was associated with female gender (60.4% for female compared to 52.4% for men, p = .003); living in parental residence (61.6% compared to 54.7% living away parental residence; p = .02 ), the second and the third training level year respectively (64.6%; 59.2%) compared to first-year (55.2%, p = .001), and midwifery and nursing students (61.6%; 60.3%) as compared to technique health students (43.6%, p = .001). Conclusions: It appears that a substantial number of students have psychological distress and this is likely to have negative effects on students’ educational attainment and wider wellbeing.

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What’s up doc? A national cross-sectional study of psychological wellbeing of hospital doctors in Ireland

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018023 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (10) ◽

pp. e018023 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Blánaid Hayes ◽

Lucia Prihodova ◽

Gillian Walsh ◽

Frank Doyle ◽

Sally Doherty

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Depression Anxiety Stress Scale ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stress Scale ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Hospital Doctors

ObjectivesTo measure levels of psychological distress, psychological wellbeing and self-stigma in hospital doctors in Ireland.DesignNational cross-sectional study of randomised sample of hospital doctors. Participants provided sociodemographic data (age, sex, marital status), work grade (consultant, higher/basic specialist trainee), specialty and work hours and completed well-being questionnaires (the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, WHO Well-being Index, General Health Questionnaire) and single-item scales on self-rated health and self-stigma.SettingIrish publicly funded hospitals and residential institutions.Participants1749 doctors (response rate of 55%). All hospital specialties were represented except radiology.ResultsHalf of participants were men (50.5%). Mean hours worked per week were 57 hours. Over half (52%) rated their health as very good/excellent, while 50.5% reported positive subjective well-being (WHO-5). Over a third (35%) experienced psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire 12). Severe/extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were evident in 7.2%, 6.1% and 9.5% of participants (Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale 21). Symptoms of distress, depression, anxiety and stress were significantly higher and levels of well-being were significantly lower in trainees compared with consultants, and this was not accounted for by differences in sociodemographic variables. Self-stigma was present in 68.4%.ConclusionsThe work hours of doctors working in Irish hospitals were in excess of European Working Time Directive’s requirements. Just over half of hospital doctors in Ireland had positive well-being. Compared with international evidence, they had higher levels of psychological distress but slightly lower symptoms of depression and anxiety. Two-thirds of respondents reported self-stigma, which is likely to be a barrier to accessing care. These findings have implications for the design of support services for doctors, for discussions on quality of patient care and for future research.

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Socioeconomic Factors and Health Status Disparities Associated with Difficulty in ADLs and IADLs among Long-Lived Populations in Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study

INQUIRY The Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing ◽

10.1177/00469580211007264 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 58 ◽

pp. 004695802110072

Author(s):

Júlia Cristina Leite Nóbrega ◽

Juliana Barbosa Medeiros ◽

Tácila Thamires de Melo Santos ◽

Saionara Açucena Vieira Alves ◽

Javanna Lacerda Gomes da Silva Freitas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Activities Of Daily Living ◽

Socioeconomic Factors ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Daily Living ◽

Female Gender ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Objective: To evaluate the association between socioeconomic factors, health status, and Functional Capacity (FC) in the oldest senior citizens in a metropolis and a poor rural region of Brazil. Method: Cross-sectional study of 417 seniors aged ≥80 years, data collected through Brazil’s Health, Well-being and Aging survey. FC assessed by self-reporting of difficulties in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using “R” statistical software. Results: Socioeconomic and demographic inequalities in Brazil can influence FC in seniors aged 80 years and older. Comparatively, urban long-lived people had a higher prevalence of difficulties for ADLs and rural ones showed more difficulties for IADLs. Among urban oldest seniors, female gender and lower-income were correlated with difficulties for IADLs. Among rural oldest seniors, female gender, stroke, joint disease, and inadequate weight independently were correlated with difficulties for ADLs, while the number of chronic diseases was associated with difficulties for IADLs. Conclusion: Financial constraints may favor the development of functional limitations among older seniors in large urban centers. In poor rural areas, inadequate nutritional status and chronic diseases may increase their susceptibility to functional decline.

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Association between Socioeconomic Status and Psychological Distress among Rwandan Refugees in Zambia: a Gender Perspective

African Journal of Gender, Society and Development (formerly Journal of Gender, Information and Development in Africa) ◽

10.31920/2634-3622/2021/v10n4a2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 37-59

Author(s):

Victor Mwanamwambwa ◽

Basil Joseph Pillay

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Financial Support ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Occupational Status ◽

Well Being ◽

Easy Access ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gender Perspective ◽

Psychological Well Being

Urban refugees face several challenges which affect their emotional, social, and psychological well-being. This study utilised a quantitative cross-sectional design. The study assessed the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and psychological distress from a gender perspective among Rwandan refugees in Lusaka, Zambia. Two hundred and sixty-seven refugees between 18 and 65(M=33.99 years) participated in the study. The sample comprised men (47.9%) and women (52.1%) who were selected from Lusaka townships using purposive and convenience sampling techniques. SES was measured by assessing participants’ educational attainment, occupational status or employment, income, and financial support, whereas subjective psychological distress was evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Framed within the feminist and the ecological systems perspectives, the study established an association between SES and psychological distress. The proportions of female participants in the lower education and unemployment categories and lower-income bracket were considerably higher than males in the same category. Similarly, the study revealed that the proportion of females (27%) with severe depression was higher than males (19%). However, the gender difference was negligible with other subscales such as the somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, and social dysfunction. Bivariate associations revealed well-established gender differences, where women with low education and financial support reported higher levels of psychological distress. Multivariate analysis revealed that employment predicted a lower level of psychological distress in both men and women. The findings highlight that refugees’ access to employment is an essential factor in determining psychological well-being. Well-defined intervention strategies by government and humanitarian bodies are critical and should aim to empower refugees towards easy access to formal and informal labour market opportunities.

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Quality of Life in Chilean Transgender Children and Adolescents

Hormone Research in Paediatrics ◽

10.1159/000520606 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Carolina Mendoza ◽

Helena Poggi ◽

Mónica Flores ◽

Cristóbal Morales ◽

Alejandro Martínez-Aguayo

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

School Environment ◽

Social Acceptance ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychosocial Health ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Well Being

Introduction: Transgender (TG) children and adolescents experience problems in school as well as with family and social relationships that can adversely affect their physical and psychosocial health and impair their quality of life (QOL). This study aims to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in TG children. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study comparing HRQoL in gender nonconforming (Trans) and gender conforming (CIS) children and adolescents using the Spanish version of KIDSCREEN-52 in 120 Chilean Trans and CIS children (aged 8–18 years) and their parents. All scores were standardized according to the KIDSCREEN manual. Results: Among the 100 questionnaires answered, 38 corresponded to children and adolescents aged 8.4–18 years. Twenty-one of them were TG (71% trans males) and 17 were CIS (76% females). Sixty-two parents answered the questionnaires: 33 from families of TG children (PTrans) and 29 from families of CIS children (PCis). Trans children had lower HRQOL scores in all domains compared to CIS children. The lowest-scoring domains for TG children were “Moods and Emotions”, “Psychological Well-Being” and “Social Acceptance”, and the highest-scoring domain was “School Environment”. The PTrans group had significantly higher scores than the Trans group for 3 of the 10 domains: “Psychological Well-Being”, “Moods and Emotions”, and “Parent Relations and Home Life”. Conclusion: Our results revealed that TG children and adolescents have lower QOL than their CIS counterparts, especially regarding items related to mental health. Furthermore, their parents may underestimate their well-being, confirming the vulnerability of the TG population. This finding underlies the need to perform early assessments of QOL for early detection and intervention in aspects that could deteriorate their quality of life.

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Family functioning of elderly with depressive symptoms

Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP ◽

10.1590/s0080-623420140000300012 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 469-476 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Rosely Almeida Souza ◽

Gislaine Desani da Costa ◽

Cintia Hitomi Yamashita ◽

Fernanda Amendola ◽

Jaqueline Correa Gaspar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Family Functioning ◽

Family Health ◽

Female Gender ◽

Well Being ◽

The Elderly ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Dysfunctional Family ◽

The Family

Objective: To classify families of elderly with depressive symptoms regarding their functioning and to ascertain the presence of an association between these symptoms, family functioning and the characteristics of the elderly. Method: This was an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study performed with 33 teams of the Family Health Strategy in Dourados, MS. The sample consisted of 374 elderly divided into two groups (with and without depressive symptoms). The instruments for data collection were a sociodemographic instrument, the GeriatricDepression Scale (15 items) and the Family Apgar. Results: An association was observed between depressive symptoms and family dysfunction, female gender, four or more people living together, and physical inactivity. Conclusion: The functional family may represent effective support for the elderly with depressive symptoms, because it offers a comfortable environment that ensures the well-being of its members. The dysfunctional family can barely provide necessary care for the elderly, which can exacerbate depressive symptoms. 

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Corona virus fear among health workers during the early phase of pandemic response in Nepal: a web-based cross-sectional study

10.1101/2020.11.04.367912 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Pratik Khanal ◽

Navin Devkota ◽

Minakshi Dahal ◽

Kiran Paudel ◽

Shiva Raj Mishra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Family Member ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Early Phase ◽

Health Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Web Based ◽

Factors Associated

AbstractBackgroundHealth workers involved in COVID-19 response might be at risk of developing fear and psychological distress. This study aimed to identify factors associated with COVID-19 fear among health workers in Nepal during the early phase of pandemic.MethodsA web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in the month of April-May 2020 among 475 health workers directly involved in COVID-19 management. The Fear Scale of COVID 19 (FCV-19S) was used to measure the status of fear. Scatter plots were used to observe the relationship between fear and other psychological outcomes: anxiety, depression and insomnia. Multivariable logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with COVID fear.ResultsCOVID-19 fear score was moderately correlated with anxiety and depression, and weakly correlated with insomnia (p<0.001). Nurses (AOR=2.29; 95% CI: 1.23-4.26), health workers experiencing stigma (AOR=1.83; 95% CI: 1.12-2.73), those working in affected district(AOR=1.76; 95% CI: 1.12-2.77) and presence of family member with chronic diseases (AOR=1.50; 95% CI: 1.01-2.25) was associated with higher odds of developing COVID-19 fear as compared to other health workers, health workers not experiencing stigma, working in non-affected district and not having family member with chronic diseases respectively.ConclusionNurses, health workers facing stigma, those working in affect district and having family member with chronic diseases were more at risk of developing COVID-19 fear. It is thus recommended to improve work environment to reduce fear among health workers, employ stigma reduction interventions, and ensure personal and family support for those having family member with chronic diseases.

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The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Providers in Obstetrics: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.632999 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Lidia Del Piccolo ◽

Valeria Donisi ◽

Ricciarda Raffaelli ◽

Simone Garzon ◽

Cinzia Perlini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Organizational Level ◽

Survey Study ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gynecology And Obstetrics ◽

The Individual

Objective: To assess the psychological distress of healthcare providers (HCPs) working in the field of obstetrics during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to identify factors associated with psychological distress at the individual, interpersonal, and organizational level.Design: Cross-sectional survey study.Setting: Four University hospitals in Italy.Participants: HCPs working in obstetrics, including gynecologists, residents in gynecology and obstetrics, and midwives.Methods: The 104-item survey Impatto PSIcologico COVID-19 in Ostetricia (IPSICO) was created by a multidisciplinary expert panel and administered to HCPs in obstetrics in May 2020 via a web-based platform.Main Outcome Measures: Psychological distress assessed by the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) included in the IPSICO survey.Results: The response rate to the IPSICO survey was 88.2% (503/570), and that for GHQ-12 was 84.4% (481/570). Just over half (51.1%; 246/481) of the GHQ-12 respondents reported a clinically significant level of psychological distress (GHQ-12 ≥3). Psychological distress was associated with either individual (i.e., female gender, stressful experience related to COVID-19, exhaustion, and the use of dysfunctional coping strategies), interpersonal (i.e., lower family support, limitations in interactions with colleagues), and organizational (i.e., reduced perception of protection by personal protective equipment, perceived delays on updates and gaps in information on the pandemic) factors in dealing with the pandemic.Conclusions: Results confirm the need for monitoring and assessing the psychological distress for HCPs in obstetrics. Interventions at the individual, interpersonal, and organizational level may relieve the psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic and foster resilience skills in facing emotional distress.

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Psychological Distress of Medical Students in Japan: Cross-sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.25232 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yoshito Nishimura ◽

Kanako Ochi ◽

Kazuki Tokumasu ◽

Mikako Obika ◽

Hideharu Hagiya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Medical Students ◽

Online Education ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Survey Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

State Of Emergency ◽

Web Based ◽

Subjective Mental Health

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected medical education. However, little data are available about medical students’ distress during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to provide details on how medical students have been affected by the pandemic. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 717 medical students participated in the web-based survey. The survey included questions about how the participants’ mental status had changed from before to after the Japanese nationwide state of emergency (SOE). RESULTS Out of 717 medical students, 473 (66.0%) participated in the study. In total, 29.8% (141/473) of the students reported concerns about the shift toward online education, mostly because they thought online education would be ineffective compared with in-person learning. The participants’ subjective mental health status significantly worsened after the SOE was lifted (<i>P</i><.001). Those who had concerns about a shift toward online education had higher odds of having generalized anxiety and being depressed (odds ratio [OR] 1.97, 95% CI 1.19-3.28) as did those who said they would request food aid (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.16-3.44) and mental health care resources (OR 3.56, 95% CI 2.07-6.15). CONCLUSIONS Given our findings, the sudden shift to online education might have overwhelmed medical students. Thus, we recommend that educators inform learners that online learning is not inferior to in-person learning, which could attenuate potential depression and anxiety.

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