scholarly journals Psychological Problems Experienced by Primary Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Epidemic in South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Akm Monjurul Hoque ◽  
Akm Monjurul Hoque ◽  
Somaya Buckus ◽  
Maariyah Hoque ◽  
ABM Mahbub ul Alam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Psychological Problems ◽  
Anxiety And Depression

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted on healthcare workers globally. The psychological impact of COVID-19 among primary healthcare workers who constitute a vulnerable group is yet to be evaluated in South Africa. The objectives were to estimate the prevalence and risk factors for stress, anxiety and depression among healthcare workers of a rural primary health care setting in South Africa. Method: Self-administered questionnaire-based cross-sectional design was implemented among medical and nursing care professionals. Psychological problems were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Logistic regression was performed to determine associated factors for psychological problems. Results: The majority of HCWs were female (82.8%), of which 69.2% nurses and 56.6% single. The prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression disorders were 97.5%, 97.5% and 44% respectively. Females were 5.3 times (p<0.05) more likely to have stress disorder than males. Household size, perceived threat of family member not becoming infected with COVID-19 and having no concern of staff shortage were found to be protective for stress disorder (p<0.05). Healthcare workers who were not worried of getting infection and not worried of their family members getting infected found to be protective (OR<1, p<0.05) for anxiety disorder. Those 55 years or older were four times more likely to have depression (p<0.05) than their younger counterparts. Healthcare workers who were not worried of their family members would get infected and those were not worried to be infected were less likely (OR<1, p<0.05) to have depression disorder compared to those were worried. Conclusion: Higher rates of stress, anxiety and depression were found among these HCWs. It is therefore imperative that appropriate and timely mental health care supports are provided to avert immediate and long term adverse psychological health outcomes of the HCWs.

scholarly journals Mental Disorders Among Health Care Workers at the Early Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic in Kenya; Findings of an Online Descriptive Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edith Kamaru Kwobah ◽  
Ann Mwangi ◽  
Kirtika Patel ◽  
Thomas Mwogi ◽  
Robert Kiptoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Early Phase ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Care Workers

Background: Healthcare workers responding to the Corona Virus Pandemic (COVID-19) are at risk of mental illness. Data is scanty on the burden of mental disorders among Kenyan healthcare workers responding to the pandemic that can inform mental health and psychosocial support. The purpose of this study was to establish the frequency and associated factors of worry, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and poor quality of sleep among Kenyan health care workers at the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: We conducted an online survey among 1,259 health care workers in Kenya. A researcher developed social demographic questionnaire and several standardized tools were used for data collection. Standardized tools were programmed into Redcap, (Research Electronic Data Capture) and data analysis was performed using R Core Team. In all analysis a p-value &lt; 0.05 was considered significant.Results: 66% of the participants reported experiencing worry related to COVID-19. 32.1% had depression, 36% had generalized anxiety, 24.2% had insomnia and 64.7% scored positively for probable Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Depression was higher among females compared to men (36.5 vs. 26.9%, p = 0.003), workers &lt;35 years old compared to older ones (38.1 vs. 26.4%, p &lt; 0.001), and those who were not married compared to those who were married (40.6 vs. 27.6%, p &lt; 0.001). Generalized anxiety was commoner among workers aged &lt;35 years (43.5 vs. 29.3%, p &lt; 0.001), females (41.7 vs. 29.2%, p &lt; 0.001), those who mere not married compared to the married (45.2 vs. 31.2%, p &lt; 0.001) and those with &lt;10 years working experience (41.6 to 20.5%, p &lt; 0.001). Younger health care professional had a higher proportion of insomnia compared to the older ones (30.3 vs. 18.6%, p &lt; 0.001). Insomnia was higher among those with &lt;10 years' experience compared to those with more than 20 years' experience(27.3 vs. 17.6%, p = 0.043)Conclusion: Many Kenyan healthcare workers in the early phase of COVID-19 pandemic suffered from various common mental disorders with young, female professionals who are not married bearing the bigger burden. This data is useful in informing interventions to promote mental and psychosocial wellbeing among Kenyan healthcare workers responding to the pandemic.

Perceived health, adversity, and posttraumatic stress disorder in Syrian and Iraqi refugees

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402097827
Author(s):  
Arash Javanbakht ◽  
Lana Ruvolo Grasser ◽  
Soyeong Kim ◽  
Cynthia L Arfken ◽  
Nicole Nugent
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Iraqi Refugees

Background: Exposure to armed conflict and fleeing country of origin for refugees has been associated with poorer psychological health. Methods: Within the first month following their arrival in the United States, 152 Syrian and Iraqi refugees were screened in a primary care setting for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression and rated their perceived health, and perceived level of adversity of violence, armed conflict/flight. The moderating effects of psychiatric symptoms on the relation between perceived adversity and perceived health were assessed. Results: Three models based on diagnosis (PTSD, anxiety, and depression) were tested. While significant effects were found on perceived adversity negatively influencing perceived health across diagnoses, slightly different patterns emerged based on diagnosis. Discussion: Findings suggest that refugees’ perception regarding adversity of violence, armed conflict, and flight may contribute to perceived health, with a moderating role of clinically significant symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

scholarly journals Tuberculosis in Healthcare Workers and Infection Control Measures at Primary Healthcare Facilities in South Africa

PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e76272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mareli M. Claassens ◽  
Cari van Schalkwyk ◽  
Elizabeth du Toit ◽  
Eline Roest ◽  
Carl J. Lombard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Infection Control Measures

scholarly journals Older persons’ experience with health care at two primary level clinics in Cape Town, South Africa: a qualitative assessment

BJGP Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. bjgpopen20X101048
Author(s):  
Tsepo Motsohi ◽  
Mosedi Namane ◽  
Augustine Chidi Anele ◽  
Mumtaz Abbas ◽  
Sebastiana Zimba Kalula
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
World Health ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Primary Healthcare Clinics

BackgroundEfficient methods of assessing older persons’ healthcare needs are required in busy public sector primary healthcare clinics in South Africa. These clinics are the main points of entry into the healthcare system. This study was part of a larger study to test the local applicability and adaptability of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Age Friendly Primary Care Toolkit for assessing and managing chronic diseases and common geriatric syndromes.AimTo assess how older persons experience healthcare delivery at two primary healthcare clinics, and identify perceived gaps in health care to older people.Design & settingA qualitative study at two primary healthcare sites in the suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa.MethodFocus group discussions (two at each facility) using an interview guide.ResultsAnalysed data were categorised into five themes: ‘despite the challenges, there is overall good care’; ‘communication gaps and the frustration of feeling unheard’; ‘the health service is experienced as being unreliable, stretched, and is difficult to access’; ‘there is a perception of pervasive structural ageism in the clinics’; and ‘there is a perception that the quality of care received is related to the profession of the healthcare provider’.ConclusionChallenges of access and care for older clients at primary care clinics are linked to their age-specific holistic needs, which are not fully met by the current age-friendly arrangements. Measures should be taken at the clinics to complement the perceived good clinical care received, by improving access to care, making care appropriate to the need, reducing waiting times, and creating opportunities for older persons to feel respected and heard.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among staff at primary healthcare institutions in Prishtina

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rrezart Halili ◽  
Jeta Bunjaku ◽  
Bujar Gashi ◽  
Teuta Hoxha ◽  
Agron Kamberi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Capital City ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pcr Test

Abstract Background Many studies examined the spread of SARS-CoV-2 within populations using seroprevalence. Healthcare workers are a high-risk population due to patient contact, and studies are needed to examine seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers. Our study investigates the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among staff at primary healthcare institutions in Prishtina, and factors associated with seroprevalence. Methods We carried out a cross-sectional survey including SARS-CoV-2 serological testing and questionnaires with primary healthcare workers from primary healthcare facilities in the Prishtina, the capital city of Kosovo. We calculated prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, and of self-reported positive PCR test among primary healthcare workers, as well as crude and adjusted ORs for explanatory factors. Results Eighty-three of the healthcare workers (17.47%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies IgG or IgM, while 231 (48.63%) either had antibodies or a previous positive PCR test. Odds of seropositivity were affected by male gender (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.20, 3.61), and infected family members (OR 3.61, 95% CI 2.25, 5.79) of healthcare workers. Higher education, being part of larger families and having infected family members gave higher odds of positive PCR test and seropositivity. Other healthcare workers had lower odds of positive PCR test and seropositivity than physicians. Conclusion Over 17% of healthcare workers were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and close to half of them were either seropositive or PCR self-reported positive test. Several factors are associated with decreased and increased odds for such outcomes. These findings should be explored further and addressed to Kosovo policy makers, and assist them to intensify vaccination efforts, and maintain control measures until we achieve herd immunity.

scholarly journals The Prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Among Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Adibi ◽  
Mohamad Golitaleb ◽  
Iman Farrahi-Ashtiani ◽  
Davoud Pirani ◽  
Kosar Yousefi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Psychological Problems ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Care Workers

Introduction: Health care workers, due to be involved in caring for COVID-19 patients may experience various psychological problems including anxiety disorders. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic by systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods: The PRISMA guideline was used for conducting this study. Related keywords were searched in credited resources including ISC, Magiran, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, ProQuest, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Embase to find the articles published on the prevalence of GAD among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic from the first of January to the end of June 2020. Meta-analysis was conducted by the random effects model.Results: In this study, 553 articles were initially identified, from which 19 studies were finally included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that the prevalence of GAD in health care workers based on the GAD-7 and GAD-2 instruments were 32.04% (95% CI: 26.89–37.19, I2 = 98.2%, p &lt; 0.001) and 22.62% (95% CI: 9.01–36.24, I2 = 97.7%, p &lt; 0.001). The overall prevalence of GAD was obtained 30.5% (95% CI: 25.58–35.42, I2 = 98.4%, p &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: This study showed a relatively high GAD prevalence, as one of the fundamental psychological problems, among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, health system managers should implement preventive strategies to protect health staff from contracting the virus and monitor them for psychological problems and provide them with supportive measures if necessary.

scholarly journals Investigation on the influencing factors of mental health of healthcare workers for aid in Hubei during the outbreak of the COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Zhou ◽  
Na Du ◽  
Dongmei Diao ◽  
Yingjie OuYang ◽  
Heshan Sameera Kankanam Pathiranage
Keyword(s):  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Mild Depression ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
History Of ◽  
Depression Level

Abstract Background The objective of this study is to understand the psychological health status and analyze the related factors of healthcare workers for aid in Hubei during the epidemic. 220 subjects were investigated by Self-Rating Scale of Sleep(SRSS), Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD-7), and 9-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results The average SRSS score of all subjects was significantly higher than the national norm (p < 0.001)and the influencing factors were gender, whether the patients died under the charge of nursing/treatment, the history of psychosis and whether their family members were infected with the COVID-19. The average GAD-7 score of all subjects was in a moderate anxiety level, and the main influencing factors were gender, years of work, history of psychosis, self-perceived health statues and whether their family members were infected with the COVID-19. The average PHQ-9 score of all subjects was in mild depression level. The primary influencing factors were whether they nursed/treated severely ill patients during aid in Hubei and whether they had a history of psychosis. Conclusions During the outbreak of COVID-19, the symptoms of insomnia and anxiety of the healthcare workers for aid in Hubei were prominent. Moreover, male workers, those whose patients have died during their treatment, with previous anxiety disorders and whose family members infected with COVID-19 were facing more serious problems. Therefore, this special group needs to be strengthened follow-up psychological support individually.

scholarly journals Perception of healthcare workers on mobile app-based clinical guideline for the detection and treatment of mental health problems in primary care: a qualitative study in Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Pokhrel ◽  
R. Karmacharya ◽  
T. Taylor Salisbury ◽  
K. Carswell ◽  
B. A. Kohrt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Clinical Guideline ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Mobile App

Abstract Background In recent years, a significant change has taken place in the health care delivery systems due to the availability of smartphones and mobile software applications. The use of mobile technology can help to reduce a number of barriers for mental health care such as providers’ workload, lack of qualified personnel, geographical and attitudinal barriers to seek treatment. This study assessed the perception of Nepali primary healthcare workers about the feasibility, acceptability, and benefits of using a mobile app-based clinical guideline for mental health care. Method A qualitative study was conducted in two districts Chitwan and Ramechhap of Nepal with purposively selected medical officers (n = 8) and prescribing primary healthcare workers (n = 35) who were trained in the World Health Organization mental health Gap Action Program Intervention Guide. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted in Nepali, audio recorded, transcribed and translated into English for data analysis. Data were analysed manually using a thematic analysis approach. Results The majority of the healthcare workers and medical officers reported a high level of interest, motivation and positive attitudes towards the mobile app-based clinical guidelines for detection and treatment of people with mental disorders in primary care. They respondents suggested that several features and functions should be included in the app: suggestive diagnosis and treatment options; clinical data recording system; sending messages to patients to promote follow-up visits; allow offline functions; minimal typing options and content to be available in Nepali language. The study participants reported that the app could help in bringing uniformity in diagnosis and management of mental disorders across all health facilities, enabling remote supervision, helping verification of health workers’ diagnosis and treatment; and increasing patients’ trust in the treatment. Lack of reliable internet connection in health facilities, possibility of distracting interaction between patient and provider, and confidentiality were the key factors potentially hindering the use of the app. Conclusion The suggested functions and features as well as the potential risk factors highlighted by the health workers, will be considered when further developing the mobile app-based clinical guidelines, training modality and materials, and the supervision system.

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