scholarly journals COVID-19 pandemic and its influence on mental health of healthcare professionals in Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (01) ◽  
pp. 23-27
Author(s):  
Robin Bhattarai ◽  
Joshila Chanu Yumnam ◽  
Kishor Chhantyal ◽  
Karuna Rai ◽  
Manoj Kumar Chaudhary ◽  
...  

Given the unprecedented global public health crisis due to the covid-19 pandemic, it is important to recognize the psychological impact on health care professionals. Previous experiences from the smaller scale epidemiology and new literature on COVID-19 have shown that increased pressure on healthcare professionals is associated with rise in the psychological incidence rates. We have described the psychological burden of the covid-19 pandemic on health care workers in Nepal and reviewed the literature on the impact of previous epidemics on front-line health care workers. In addition, we discussed potential triggers and measures to minimize the front-line psychological pressure to deal with this biological threat.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sreeja Das ◽  
Tushar Singh ◽  
Rahul Varma ◽  
Yogesh Kumar Arya

The COVID-19 epidemic has mushroomed globally, disrupting the existence of millions. Under this current pandemic situation, the frontline health care professionals are looped in the clutch of the virus and are relatively more exposed to the patients infected with the disease. In this precarious situation, the frontline health care professionals have contributed their best to provide utmost care to the patients infected with the ailment. The direct involvement of these professionals, however, has taken a toll on their physical health as well as on their mental well-being. Several studies conducted recently have reported that frontline health care workers engaged in direct diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with COVID-19 are associated with a higher risk of symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues. Lack of personal protection equipment, unreasonable amounts of work, improper medicines, fear of contracting the disease, and lack of skilled training have interposed the frontline health care workers with unimaginable stress. Due to the widespread outbreak, the death count of the frontline health care professionals has also surged. However, studies exploring the physical and mental welfare of the frontline health care professionals and their families are very few and far behind. To address this aperture, the present paper attempts to highlight the psychological and physical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frontline health care professions and to understand the impact of the death of these frontline health care professionals on the psychological well-being, mourning process, and complicated grief among the family members of healthcare professionals. The paper also presents some recommendations for providing psychological support to healthcare professionals and their bereaved families.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atika Dogra ◽  
Anuj Parkash ◽  
Anurag Mehta ◽  
Meenu Bhatia

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe services of front-line health care workers (HCWs) have been paramount in the management of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Health care professionals have been at high occupational risk of getting disease and even dying of the disease, however; they have been the subject of very limited studies in terms of COVID-19. The objectives of this study are to examine the incidence and the impact of COVID-19 infection among HCWs in terms of recovery, productivity, quality of life (QOL) and post-COVID complications.Materials and MethodsThis was a retrospective, questionnaire based study including demographic details, workplace characteristics, symptoms, source/ spread of infection, details of recovery and the consequences of COVID-19 comprising impaired productivity/ QOL, post-COVID-19 complications and others. The data were analyzed by using IBM SPSS software (Version 23, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).Results and ConclusionsOut of a total of 1482 employees, 18.3% (271) were laboratory confirmed to have contracted novel contagion during the study period of 5 months. The median age at diagnosis was 29 (range, 21-62) years. Front-line workers and female workers were the most infected personnel with COVID-19. Flu-like symptoms were the most frequently experienced symptoms. The median time for recovery was 20 (range, 2-150) days. The relationship between pre-existing comorbidities and age was highly significant. The QOL and productivity were associated with pre-existing comorbidities, severity of the disease, time for recovery and post-COVID syndrome. More than a half (51.8%) of all HCWs had suffered from post-COVID complications. There was no fatality reported due to COVID-19. The post-COVID complications were related to pre-existing comorbidities, severity of disease, time for recovery and status of recovery. Further research to explore the consequences of COVID-19 is warranted. The general public needs to be aware of symptoms and management of the post-COVID syndrome.


Author(s):  
Yousuf A Vawda ◽  
Farhana Variawa

South Africa is renowned for having a progressive Constitution with strong protection of human rights, including protection for persons using the public health system. While significant recent discourse and jurisprudence have focused on the rights of patients, the situation and rights of providers of health care services have not been adequately ventilated. This paper attempts to foreground the position of the human resources personnel located at the centre of the roll-out of the government's ambitious programme of anti-retroviral (ARV) therapy. The HIV/AIDS epidemic represents a major public health crisis in our country and, inasmuch as various critical policies and programmes have been devised in response, the key to a successful outcome lies in the hands of the health care professionals tasked with implementing such strategies. Often pilloried by the public, our health care workers (HCWs) face an almost Herculean task of turning the tide on the epidemic. Unless the rights of HCWs are recognised and their needs adequately addressed, the best laid plans of government will be at risk. This contribution attempts to identify and analyse the critical challenges confronting HCWs at the coalface of the HIV/AIDS treatment programme, in particular the extent to which their own rights are under threat, and offers recommendations to remedy the situation in order to ensure the successful realisation of the ARV rollout.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saroj Prasad Deo ◽  
Dharanidhar Baral

Abstract Background COVID-19 (COrona VIrus Disease-19) outbreak is an alarming situation for all health care workers. Dental and oral health care workers (DOCHWs) are invariably at a higher risk of getting infected or transmitting disease due to the nature and duration of work. The objective is to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nepalese dental and oral health care workers and their practices. Methods A cross-sectional observational, online survey was designed and conducted via Google form from 24 June 2020 to 13 July 2020 among DOHCWs of Nepal. The study tool developed after reviewing pertinent literature and international guidelines. Results A total of 51.9% were aged 20 to 29 years, 61.7% were male, 52.6% were single; 92.5% had no morbidity. Of the respondents, majority 60.2% of DOCHWs were working in routine duties on the COVID-19 crisis. They reduced their current practice to before the pandemic; 48.2 % of them working less than 20 hours per week, while only 10.5 % of them working more than 40 hours per week. Moreover, 73.7% performed only selective or lesser procedure; 18% closed dental practices / stayed home; only 1.5% worked more; 6.8% shifted practice to online (teledentistry). The majority of the respondents restricted their activity to an emergency (21%) and urgent procedures (22.7%). A considerable proportion of participants reported symptoms of depression (21.9%), anxiety (24.2%), and distress (8.4%). Bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant level of satisfaction with logistic support provided by the administrative agency in the different workplace (oral health service centre) with relation to the availability of masks other than N95, N99 (p = 0.04), availability of PPEs (p = 0.06) and facility of cleaning area (p = 0.01). Conclusion The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among DOHCWs is widespread and adversely affect the personal, professional and academic lives of DOHCWs of Nepal. The participants reported experiencing psychological burden, precipitated by financial burden and worries about an uncertain future.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205435812094429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lionel Mazzoleni ◽  
Chadi Ghafari ◽  
Fabienne Mestrez ◽  
Roxana Sava ◽  
Elena Bivoleanu ◽  
...  

Background: The rapid worldwide spread of COVID-19 has posed a serious threat to patients treated with kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Moreover, the impact of the disease on hemodialysis centers, the patients, and the health care workers is still not completely understood. Objective: We present the analysis of a COVID-19 outbreak in a hemodialysis center in Belgium and report the incidence, clinical course, and outcome of the disease. Design: A retrospective cross-sectional cohort study. Setting: A hemodialysis center during the COVID-19 outbreak. Patients: A total of 62 patients on maintenance hemodialysis at a tertiary care center in Belgium attended by 26 health care workers. Measurements: Baseline patients’ characteristics were retrieved. The incidence, clinical course, and outcome were reported. The differences between COVID-19 survivors and nonsurvivors were assessed along with the differences between COVID-19-hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients. The incidence of the disease and outcome of health care workers were also reported. Methods: Proportions for categorical variables were compared using the Fisher exact test and χ2. The Mann-Whitney rank sum test was used to compare continuous variables. Univariate analysis and a binomial logistic regression were used to explore variables as predictors of death. Results: Between March 6 and April 14, 2020, 40 of 62 (65%) patients tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome beta coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) along with 18 of 26 (69%) health care professionals. Twenty-five (63%) of the infected patients were hospitalized with a median time for hospitalization-to-discharge of 8 (interquartile range [IQR] = 4-12) days. Eleven (28%) COVID-19-related deaths were recorded with a median time for onset of symptoms-to-death of 9 (IQR = 5-14) days. Lymphocytopenia was prevalent among the cohort and was found in 9 of 11 (82%) reported deaths ( P = .4). There was no influence of the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers on COVID-19-related deaths ( P = .3). Advanced age, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were all found to be significantly related to death. Of the 18 infected health care professionals, 13 (72%) were symptomatic and 2 (11%) were hospitalized. There was no reported death among the health care workers. Limitations: Limited follow-up time compared with the course of the disease along with a small sample size. Conclusions: Patients treated with KRT show a high mortality rate secondary to COVID-19. CVD and age are shown to impact survival. Proactive measures must be taken to prevent the spread of the virus in such facilities. Trial Registration: Not applicable as this is a retrospective study.


F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 873
Author(s):  
Oluwatosin Ruth Ilori ◽  
Oluwatosin Stephen Ilori ◽  
Phillip Oluwatobi Awodutire ◽  
Olabisi Roseline Ige ◽  
Adesanmi B Idowu ◽  
...  

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is global public health crisis. Mass vaccination, until herd immunity is achieved, is one of the most effective ways of combating the deadly infectious virus. The disposition of health workers towards the AstraZeneca vaccine will most likely determine if other members of the community will be willing to get vaccinated or not. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the attitudes of healthcare workers to the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as determine the various side effects experienced by those who have already been vaccinated. Method: Frequency tables were created, and Chi-square was used to determine the relationship between respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, as well as their acceptance or rejection of the COVID-19 vaccine and attitude towards it. Using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22.0, multinominal logistic regression was used to determine the key factors which influenced respondents’ decision to have the vaccine. Result: There was a statistically significant relationship between the cadre of health care workers, their tribe, and their involvement in the care of COVID-19 patients and their attitude towards the vaccine. Conclusion: Previous involvement in the care of COVID-19 patients is one of the most important determinants of health care workers' acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Most respondents were positive about the vaccine; however, the fear of side effects was the primary reason why those who were yet to be vaccinated, do not plan to do so. The most common side effect reported by those who had already been vaccinated, was pain at the injection site. Public awareness of the vaccine and its benefits should be increased, and the vaccine should be made available in all health care facilities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 118 (7) ◽  
pp. 20-26
Author(s):  
S. JAYARAMAN ◽  
R. Sindhya ◽  
P. Vijiyalakshmi

this research aims to find out the intensity of Employee Engagement of the health care sector workers and the relationship between the Work life factors and Employee Engagement of Health care sector workers in Dindigul District. Primary data were used in this research, were collected from 298 Health care workers from Dindigul District. Questionnaire was the major tool used to gather the primary data from the selected sample respondents. For this purpose, a well structured questionnaire was constructed with the help of professionals and the practiced employees of various health care units in Dindigul District. The health care employees were chosen by simple random sampling method. The investigative measures of regression Path analysis, and simple percentage analysis were utilized to find the impact of work life related factors with the Employee Engagement. The maximum Health care workers were generally satisfied with their jobs. The analytical procedure of path analysis multiple regressions was utilized to determine the predicting strength among Work life factors and the employee engagement. This study provides an another view about the importance of Work life factors and Employee engagement for organizational effectiveness and performance .


Author(s):  
Hasan S. Alamri ◽  
Wesam F. Mousa ◽  
Abdullah Algarni ◽  
Shehata F. Megahid ◽  
Ali Al Bshabshe ◽  
...  

Objective: Little is known about the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) among the health care workers in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 among the health care workers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May till mid-July among 389 health care workers from government and private hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using a pre-structured online questionnaire that measured adverse psychological outcomes, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale. The Pearson chi-square test was used to assess the distribution of depression and anxiety among health care workers. Results: A high level of anxiety was recorded among the health care workers, and 69.3% of health care workers below the age of 40 were found to have depression. There was a significant increase in depression among staff with chronic health problems (72.1% vs. 61.9%; p = 0.048). High anxiety levels were detected among young staff compared to others (68.7% vs. 43.8%; p = 0.001). Moreover, 82.1% of the female staff were anxious, as compared to 55.6% of the males (p = 0.001). Conclusions: We found increased prevalence of adverse psychological outcomes among the health care workers in Saudi Arabia during the outbreak of COVID-19. Therefore, there is a need for proper screening and development of corresponding preventive measures to decrease the adverse psychological outcomes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 1049-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Magee ◽  
L. Darchia ◽  
M. Kipiani ◽  
T. Chakhaia ◽  
R. R. Kempker ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Süleyman Cemil Oğlak ◽  
Mehmet Obut

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of caring with pandemic patients on health care workers who worked in the front line versus their collegues from the same institution who remained in their usual hospital  wards. Material and methods: This prospective descriptive study was conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic from June 25, 2020 to July 03, 2020. A total of 107 licensed registered nurses enrolled the study. 58 of them were front-line nurses and 49 of them were nurses remained in their usual wards. All participants evaluated by the vicarious traumatization (VT) evaluation scale. Results: The VT scores of the front-line nurses were significantly higher than those of the non-front-line nurses (p<0.001). When the domains in the VT score were evaluated, it was seen that the psychological responses and physiological responses of the front-line nurses were significantly higher compared to the non-front-line nurses (p<0.001). Conclusion: Medical staff working on the FL for Covid-19 patients had higher scores of vicarious traumatization compared to medical staff serving in their usual wards. The challenges of prolonged care of Covid-19 patients will put pressure on these professionals, and the leadership must emphasize the importance of medical staff mental health for the better control of the pandemic.


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