Gender-Based Analysis of the Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers in Spain

Purpose: This study aims to analyze from a gender perspective the psychological distress experienced by the medical workforce during the peak of the pandemic in Spain.Methods: This is a single-center, observational analytic study. The study population comprised all associated health workers of the Cruces University Hospital, invited by email to participate in the survey. It consisted of a form covering demographic data, the general health questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), and the perceived stress scale (PSS-14). We used multivariant regression analysis to check the effect of gender on the scores. We used gender analysis in both design and interpretation of data following SAGER guidelines.Results: Females made 74.6% of our sample, but their proportion was higher in lower-paid positions such as nursery (89.9%) than in higher-paid ones. The percentage of women categorized as cases with the GHQ-28 was 78.4%, a proportion significantly higher than in the male population (61.3%, p < 0.001). The multivariant regression analysis showed that being women, working as orderly hospital porters, and having a past psychiatric history were risk factors for higher scores in both the GHQ-28 and PSS-14.Conclusion: Women and those with lower-paid positions were at risk of higher psychological distress and worse quality of life within the medical workforce during the first wave of the pandemic. Gender analysis must be incorporated to analyze this fact better.

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Psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric healthcare workers

Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore ◽

10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2020527 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (3) ◽

pp. 203-211 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Angela HP Kirk ◽

Shu-Ling Chong ◽

Kai-Qian Kam ◽

Weili Huang ◽

Linda SL Ang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Psychological Intervention ◽

National Level ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Psychological Outcome

Introduction: Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at risk of psychological distress. This study evaluates the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on HCWs in a national paediatric referral centre. Methods: This was a survey-based study that collected demographic, work environment and mental health data from paediatric HCWs in the emergency, intensive care and infectious disease units. Psychological impact was measured using the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with psychological distress. Results: The survey achieved a response rate of 93.9% (430 of 458). Of the 430 respondents, symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were reported in 168 (39.1%), 205 (47.7%) and 106 (24.7%), respectively. Depression was reported in the mild (47, 10.9%), moderate (76, 17.7%), severe (23, 5.3%) and extremely severe (22, 5.1%) categories. Anxiety (205, 47.7%) and stress (106, 24.7%) were reported in the mild category only. Collectively, regression analysis identified female sex, a perceived lack of choice in work scope/environment, lack of protection from COVID-19, lack of access to physical activities and rest, the need to perform additional tasks, and the experience of stigma from the community as risk factors for poor psychological outcome. Conclusion: A high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was reported among frontline paediatric HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Personal psychoneuroimmunity and organisational prevention measures can be implemented to lessen psychiatric symptoms. At the national level, involving mental health professionals to plan and coordinate psychological intervention for the country should be considered.

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COVID-19 emergency response assessment study: a prospective longitudinal survey of frontline doctors in the UK and Ireland: study protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039851 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. e039851

Author(s):

Tom Roberts ◽

Jo Daniels ◽

William Hulme ◽

Daniel Horner ◽

Mark David Lyttle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Sampling Period ◽

Well Being ◽

Professional Characteristics ◽

The Uk ◽

Prospective Longitudinal ◽

Time Point

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic is putting an unprecedented strain on healthcare systems globally. The psychological impact on frontline doctors of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic is currently unknown. This longitudinal professional survey aims to understand the evolving and cumulative effects of working during the COVID-19 outbreak on the psychological well-being of doctors working in emergency departments (ED), intensive care units (ICU) and anaesthetics during the pandemic.Methods and analysisThis study is a longitudinal questionnaire-based study with three predefined time points spanning the acceleration, peak and deceleration phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.The primary outcomes are psychological distress and post-trauma stress as measured by the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R). Data related to personal and professional characteristics will also be collected. Questionnaires will be administered prospectively to all doctors working in ED, ICU and anaesthetics in the UK and Ireland via existing research networks during the sampling period. Data from the questionnaires will be analysed to assess the prevalence and degree of psychological distress and trauma, and the nature of the relationship between personal and professional characteristics and the primary outcomes. Data will be described, analysed and disseminated at each time point; however, the primary endpoint will be psychological distress and trauma at the final time point.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was obtained from the University of Bath, UK (ref: 4421), and Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Ethics Committee. Regulatory approval from the Health Regulation Authority (UK), Health and Care Research Wales (IRAS: 281944).This study is limited by the fact that it focuses on doctors only and is survey based without further qualitative interviews of participants. It is expected this study will provide clear evidence of the psychological impact of COVID-19 on doctors and will allow present and future planning to mitigate against any psychological impact.Trial registration numberISRCTN10666798.

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Plasma Arginase-1 Level Is Associated with the Mental Status of Outpatients with Chronic Liver Disease

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11020317 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 317

Author(s):

Noriyoshi Ogino ◽

Fusao Ikeda ◽

Shihoko Namba ◽

Shinnosuke Ohkubo ◽

Tomoaki Nishimura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Liver Disease ◽

Chronic Liver Disease ◽

Mental Status ◽

Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

University Hospital ◽

Arginase 1

While plasma arginase-1 has been suggested as a biomarker of mental status in healthy individuals, it has not been evaluated in patients with chronic liver disease. This cross-sectional study investigated the utility of plasma arginase-1 for screening mental status in patients with chronic liver disease. This study included outpatients with chronic liver disease who underwent regular check-ups at Okayama University Hospital between September 2018 and January 2019. In addition to the standard blood tests, the plasma arginase-1 level was analyzed. The patients’ mental status was assessed using the Japanese version of the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). The associations between mental status and various parameters, including plasma arginase-1, were investigated using logistic regression analysis. Among 114 participating patients, 8 were excluded, comprising 6 with insufficient blood samples for plasma arginase-1 measurement and 2 with incomplete questionnaires. Multivariate binomial logistic regression analysis revealed that plasma arginase-1 was significantly and negatively associated with the GHQ-total score, especially somatic symptoms. Therefore, plasma arginase-1 may be a useful biomarker for assessing the mental status of outpatients with chronic liver disease.

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Psychological distress and trauma in doctors providing frontline care during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom and Ireland: a prospective longitudinal survey cohort study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049680 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e049680

Author(s):

Tom Roberts ◽

Jo Daniels ◽

William Hulme ◽

Robert Hirst ◽

Daniel Horner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Clinical Work ◽

Longitudinal Survey ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Psychological Care ◽

Deceleration Phase ◽

Prospective Longitudinal ◽

The Impact

ObjectivesThe psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on doctors is a significant concern. Due to the emergence of multiple pandemic waves, longitudinal data on the impact of COVID-19 are vital to ensure an adequate psychological care response. The primary aim was to assess the prevalence and degree of psychological distress and trauma in frontline doctors during the acceleration, peak and deceleration of the COVID-19 first wave. Personal and professional factors associated with psychological distress are also reported.DesignA prospective online three-part longitudinal survey.SettingAcute hospitals in the UK and Ireland.ParticipantsFrontline doctors working in emergency medicine, anaesthetics and intensive care medicine during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.Primary outcome measuresPsychological distress and trauma measured using the General Health Questionnaire-12 and the Impact of Events-Revised.ResultsThe initial acceleration survey distributed across networks generated a sample of 5440 doctors. Peak and deceleration response rates from the original sample were 71.6% (n=3896) and 56.6% (n=3079), respectively. Prevalence of psychological distress was 44.7% (n=1334) during the acceleration, 36.9% (n=1098) at peak and 31.5% (n=918) at the deceleration phase. The prevalence of trauma was 23.7% (n=647) at peak and 17.7% (n=484) at deceleration. The prevalence of probable post-traumatic stress disorder was 12.6% (n=343) at peak and 10.1% (n=276) at deceleration. Worry of family infection due to clinical work was the factor most strongly associated with both distress (R2=0.06) and trauma (R2=0.10).ConclusionFindings reflect a pattern of elevated distress at acceleration and peak, with some natural recovery. It is essential that policymakers seek to prevent future adverse effects through (a) provision of vital equipment to mitigate physical and psychological harm, (b) increased awareness and recognition of signs of psychological distress and (c) the development of clear pathways to effective psychological care.Trial registration numberISRCTN10666798.

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Psychological impact of COVID-19 outbreak on health workers in a university hospital in Turkey

Psychology Health & Medicine ◽

10.1080/13548506.2021.1900578 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Sengul Kocamer Sahin ◽

Esra Arslan ◽

Ünzile Meryem Atalay ◽

Bahadır Demir ◽

Gülcin Elboga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Workers ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

University Hospital

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Dimensions of general psychological distress and age as the predictors of procrastination in university students

Psiholoska istrazivanja ◽

10.5937/psistra23-27810 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 187-200

Author(s):

Teodora Safiye ◽

Branimir Vukčević

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Analysis Data ◽

Female Students ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

State Of Emergency ◽

Stress Scale ◽

Initial Assumption ◽

General Psychological Distress

The aim of the study is to examine whether depression, anxiety, stress and age are significant predictors of procrastination. Procrastination can be defined as the intentional postponement of the beginning or the completion of a task or job, leaving it for later, despite the knowledge of the negative consequences of such an act. The assumption was that with a higher degree of depression, anxiety and stress, the degree of general procrastination would be higher, and that, with higher age, the degree of procrastination would be lower. The sample consisted of 338 students of both sexes (282 female), the average age of 23.53. The following instruments were used: The General Procrastination Questionnaire (GPS: Lay, 1986), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21: Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), and Questionnaire on socio-demographic data designed for the purposes of this research. Standard multiple regression analysis was used for data analysis. Data were collected during the state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and hence the paper also presents the findings on the degree of general psychological distress and procrastination in students. The results show that, in the female subsample, only depression is a significant predictor that explains 6% of the variance of procrastination (ß = 0.36, p <0.01). This implies that, in female students, depression, including sadness, hopelessness, devaluation of themselves and their lives, strengthens procrastination, but also vice versa. The results of the research did not confirm the initial assumption that the older the students were, the better they knew how to cope with procrastination.

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Psychological Impact During the First Outbreak of COVID-19 on Frontline Health Care Workers in Shanghai

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.646780 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Jingjing Feng ◽

Jinfu Xu ◽

Susu Xu ◽

Huifang Cao ◽

Cuixia Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Online Survey ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Personal Characteristics ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Logistic Analysis ◽

Lack Of Knowledge

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a significant health threat. Health care worker (HCWs) are at a significant risk of infection which may cause high levels of psychological distress. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 on HCWs and factors which were associated with these stresses during the first outbreak in Shanghai.Methods: Between February 9 and 21, 2020, a total of 3,114 frontline HCWs from 26 hospitals in Shanghai completed an online survey. The questionnaire included questions on their sociodemographic characteristics, 15 stress-related questions, and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Exploratory factor analysis was applied to the 15 stress-related questions which produced four distinct factors for evaluation. Multiple linear regression models were performed to explore the association of personal characteristics with each score of the four factors. Binary logistic analysis was used to explain the association of personal characteristics and these four factors with the GHQ-12.Results: There were 2,691 valid surveys received. The prevalence of emotional distress (defined as GHQ-12 ≥ 12) was noted in 47.7% (95%CI:45.7–49.6%) HCWs. Females (OR = 1.43, 95%CI:1.09–1.86) were more likely to have a psychological distress than males. However, HCWs who work in secondary hospitals (OR = 0.71, 95% CI:0.58–0.87) or had a no contact history (OR = 0.45, 95%CI: 0.35–0.58) were less likely to suffer psychological distress. HCWs who were nurses, married, and had a known contact history were highly likely to have anxiety. HCWs working at tertiary hospitals felt an elevated anxiety regarding the infection, a lack of knowledge, and less protected compared to those who worked at secondary hospitals.Conclusions: Our study shows that the frontline HCWs had a significant psychosocial distress during the COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai. HCWs felt a lack of knowledge and had feelings of being not protected. It is necessary for hospitals and governments to provide additional trainings and psychological counseling to support the first-line HCWs.

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THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN MOROCCO

International Journal of Advanced Research ◽

10.21474/ijar01/13466 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (09) ◽

pp. 678-689

Author(s):

I. Hanine ◽

◽

I. Hmamouchi ◽

S. Belbachir ◽

M. Chtibi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Perceived Stress ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Health Workers ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Medical Personnel ◽

Severity Index ◽

University Hospital ◽

World Health ◽

Frontline Healthcare Workers ◽

The Impact

Introduction: On March 11th 2020, the World Health Organization declared the infection of the virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-COV-2 a pandemic. The virus, which was first discovered in China in Wuhan province in December 2019, has affected more than 100 million people and more than two million deaths in more than 200 countries.Along with other epidemics and pandemics, the existence of this virus has led to psychiatric disorders in people in or without direct contact with the disease, especially frontline healthcare workers. Objective: To assess the impact of the virus on medical personnel working in Morocco, in particular stress, depression and sleep disorders. Methodology: To explore this topic, we used an anonymity questionnaire based on, in addition to individual status and conditions, scales assessing stress, depression and sleep.The questionnaire was sent via social networks to health personnel working in Morocco in the various hospitals and departments treating patients infected with this virus.The CES-D (Center of Epidemiological Studies - Depression) scales for depression, the PSS-10 (Cohens Perceived Stress Scale) for perceived stress and ISI (C. Morins Insomnia Severity Index) for disorders of sleep, were chosen given their frequent use in a number of studies on the same topic. Results: After sorting our responsesrigorously, we were able to collect 376 responses, of which 53.5% were women, with an average age of 28.45 years, 23.9% were nurses, 14.4% general practitioners, 19, 7% of internal doctors 37.2% of residents or specialists and 4.8% occupied other functions such as medical transport. 66% of our candidates were at the level of the different university hospital centers of Morocco.Our candidates respectively occupied 39.1% 28.2% 29% and 25.8% triage positions, observation of suspected cases, the COVID sector and resuscitation.Regarding our results, it was observed that 71% of our participants presented moderate stress, 44.9% had a risk of developing depression and 53.7 had insomnia of varying severity.The female sex, the lack of medical, surgical and psychiatric history influence the occurrence of the three abnormalities studied, it should also be noted that these last three maintain a relationship of influences between them. Conclusion: The exploration of stress, depression and insomnia revealed an impact of the state of health on the daily life of front-line health workers in Morocco.

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The psychological impact of COVID-19 disease on nurses in two tertiary healthcare centers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20210779 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 1037

Author(s):

Henry E. Jambo ◽

Timothy Amos Ekwere ◽

Victor A. Umoh ◽

Nkemakolam F. Ndionuka ◽

Effiong E. Akpan

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Workers ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Simple Random Sample ◽

Tertiary Healthcare ◽

High Level

Background: The onset of COVID-19 disease pandemic worldwide has been associated with a high level of psychological distress. Health workers are amongst the high-risk groups for contracting COVID-19 and may be particularly vulnerable to a variety of mental health problems. This study was conducted to determine the psychological impact of the pandemic on mental well-being of Nigerian nurses who are among the frontline health workers in the fight against the disease.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of nurses in two tertiary healthcare setting. A simple random sample of 111 nurses completed the general healthcare questionnaire (GHQ 12).Results: The mean age of respondents was 36.86±8.2 years, consisting of 38.7% males and 61.3% females. The prevalence of psychological distress was 64.9%. Females had significantly higher psychological distress than males (p=0.003). Also, respondents performing duties in COVID-19 ICU hosting institution had significantly higher distress score than those from non COVID-19 hosting centre (p=0.02). Psychological distress was also significantly higher for respondents with a history of exposure to suspected (p=0.001) or confirmed cases (p<0.001). Formal infection prevention training was a protective factor for the development of psychological stress (p=0.002).Conclusions: A large proportion of nursing staffs have a high level of psychological distress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health interventions may be required to mitigate mental health risks in these health workers.

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Information on COVID-19 and Psychological Distress in a Sample of Non-Health Workers during the Pandemic Period

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17196982 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (19) ◽

pp. 6982

Author(s):

Carlos Ruiz-Frutos ◽

Mónica Ortega-Moreno ◽

Adriano Dias ◽

João Marcos Bernardes ◽

Juan Jesús García-Iglesias ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Health Workers ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Regression Tree ◽

Classification And Regression Tree ◽

Main Concern ◽

The Public ◽

Level Of Knowledge ◽

Official Sources

Methods by which the population should be informed when going through a pandemic such as COVID-19 have been questioned because of its influence on the adoption of preventive measures and its effects on mental health. Non-health workers are at risk of psychological distress from exposure to contaminated people or materials or by having to stay at home and adapt their activity to telework. The objective of the study is to analyze information the public receives about COVID-19 and its influence on their level of distress. For this, 1089 questionnaires from non-health workers were collected online between 26 March and 26 April 2020 in Spain, and analysed and distributed by snowball effect. 492 participants carried out essential activities away from home, and 597 did so from home. They were surveyed about information received about COVID-19 regarding its source, time, assessment, or the beliefs expressed in it. Mental health was also measured with Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The classification and regression tree (CART) method was used to design a binary tree with sample cases. It has been found that the time spent learning about COVID-19 and the level of knowledge about symptoms, pathways, prevention, treatment, or prognosis are associated with the level of distress, where 25% of participants were found to have spent more than 3 h daily on this activity. Social media and television are the most widely used sources, but they are considered to be of lower quality and usefulness than official sources. There is greater confidence in healthcare professionals than in the health system, and the main concern of those working away from home is spreading the virus to family members. It has been concluded that there is a need to enhance quality and truthful information on the Internet for non-health workers due to its accessibility, which should be constantly updated, a fact which international and national public bodies, research centers, and journal publishers have begun to understand during the current pandemic. Such quality information is needed to combat distress.

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