scholarly journals Occupational Health of Frontline Healthcare Workers in the United Arab Emirates during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Snapshot of Summer 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11410
Author(s):  
Suad Ajab ◽  
Balázs Ádam ◽  
Muna Al Hammadi ◽  
Najwa Al Bastaki ◽  
Mohamed Al Junaibi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Musculoskeletal Pain ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Entire Country ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers ◽  
Anxiety Depression

The study aim was to understand the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the levels of anxiety, depression, and burnout of healthcare workers (HCWs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study was an online-based, cross-sectional survey during July and August 2020. Participants were eligible from the entire country, and 1290 agreed to participate. The majority of HCWs were females aged 30–39 years old, working as nurses, and 80% considered PPE to be available. Twelve percent of respondents tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Half of HCWs considered themselves physically tired (52.2%), reported musculoskeletal pain or discomfort (54.2%), and perceived moderate-to-high levels of burnout on at least one of three burnout domains (52.8%). A quarter of HCWs reported anxiety (26.3%) or depression (28.1%). HCWs reporting not having musculoskeletal pain, having performed physical activity, and higher scores of available PPE reported lower scores of anxiety, depression, and burnout. UAE HCWs experienced more access to PPE and less anxiety, depression, and burnout compared with HCWs in other countries. Study findings can be used by healthcare organizations and policymakers to ensure adequate measures are implemented to maximize the health and wellbeing of HCWs during the current COVID-19 and future pandemics.

scholarly journals Prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depression in frontline healthcare workers treating people with COVID-19 in Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafia Tasnim ◽  
Safaet Hossain Sujan ◽  
Md. Saiful Islam ◽  
Asmaul Husna Ritu ◽  
Abid Bin Siddique ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Mental Problems ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers ◽  
Age Range

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) who are in the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic are often under significant pressures which may predispose them to mental ill-health. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among HCWs and factors correlated with mental problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between July and August 2020. A self-reported online questionnaire was utilized to collect data. The survey included questions concerning socio-demographic, lifestyle, and work setting and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).Results: Data from 803 HCWs (50.7% male; mean age: 27.3 [SD=6.9]; age range: 18-58 years) were included in analyses. Prevalence estimates of anxiety and depression were, respectively, 69.5% and 39.5% for at least borderline abnormal, 41.2% and 15.7% for at least abnormal symptoms. Regression analyses with HADS-score as dependent variable revealed significant (p<0.05) associations with female sex, moderate and poor health status, irregular physical exercising, smoking, having had regrets about their profession because of the pandemic and many unexpected experiences, not updating on the latest COVID-19-related research, experiencing discrimination in the workplace, and facing social problems due to working in a lab or hospital.Conclusions: Symptoms of mental ill-health are prevalent among HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. The findings suggest a need for monitoring and early interventions to help these individuals.

scholarly journals Mental Health Problems among COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Workers and the Other Country-Level Epidemics: The Case of Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 421
Author(s):  
Rebeca Robles ◽  
Silvia Morales-Chainé ◽  
Alejandro Bosch ◽  
Claudia Astudillo-García ◽  
Miriam Feria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers (FHCW) are struggling to cope with challenges that threaten their wellbeing. We examine the frequency and predictors of the most frequent mental health problems (MHP) among FHCW during the first COVID-19 peak in Mexico, one of the most severely affected countries in terms of FHCW’s COVID-19 mortality. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May 8 and August 18, 2020. A total of 47.5% of the sample (n = 2218) were FHCW. The most frequent MHP were insomnia, depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and health anxiety/somatization (whole sample: 45.7, 37.4, 33.9, and 21.3%; FHCW: 52.4, 43.4, 40.3 and 26.1, respectively). As compared to during the initial COVID-19 phase, depression and health anxiety/somatization symptoms as well as experiences of grieving due to COVID-19, personal COVID-19 status, and having relatives and close friends with COVID-19 were more frequent during the COVID-19 peak. Obesity, domestic violence, personal COVID-19 status, and grieving because of COVID-19 were included in regression models for main FHCW’s MHP during the COVID-19 peak. In conclusion, measures to decrease other country-level epidemics contributing to the likelihood of COVID-19 complications (obesity) and MHP (domestic violence) as well as FHCW´s probability of COVID-19 infection could safeguard not only their physical but also mental health.

The effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on anxiety, depression, and musculoskeletal system complaints in healthcare workers

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Muhammed Arca ◽  
Süleyman Dönmezdil ◽  
Elif Dilara Durmaz
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Musculoskeletal Pain ◽  
Musculoskeletal System ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Musculoskeletal Complaints ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Questionnaire Method ◽  
Anxiety Depression

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 increased psychological and physical complaints, including anxiety, depression, and pain. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine anxiety, depression, and musculoskeletal complaints that may occur in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Data were cross-sectional, collected by the online questionnaire method consisted of demographic questions, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Nordic Musculoskeletal System Query (NMQ), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). RESULTS: Among the groups, the number of doctors in the frontline group, the fear of being infected, the number of tests performed, and personal protective equipment were higher than the second-line group (p <  0.05). It was found that 73.4%of the participants had anxiety, 83.5%had depression, and 94.9%had musculoskeletal pain. It was observed that there was no statistically significant difference between the applied scale scores between the groups (p >  0.05). About musculoskeletal system complaints of the participants, neck pain presence was determined as 73.4%in the last 12 months, and upper back pain was the highest with 61.4%in the last week. Neck (p <  0.005) and upper back pain (p = 0.04) parameters in the last seven days of the NMQ scale applied to the participants were found to be statistically significantly higher in the contact group. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety, depression, and musculoskeletal pain of healthcare workers were found to be high. While neck and back pain was the most common in musculoskeletal complaints, it was found that these pains were higher in the frontline group. In this regard, healthcare professionals can be given psychological support and exercise training.

scholarly journals Frontline healthcare workers’ mental distress, top concerns, and assessment on hierarchy of controls in response to COVID-19: a cross-sectional survey study

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingling Zhang ◽  
Kimberlee L. Flike ◽  
C. Ann Gakumo ◽  
Ling Shi ◽  
Suzanne G. Leveille ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Control ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Nursing Program ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

Abstract Background The existing studies showed that frontline healthcare workers during an epidemic experienced unusual stressors and mental distress which even lasted for years after the crisis. It is important to learn about their concerns early to mitigate the negative impact as well as to evaluate disease control from experiences on the front lines for improving responses to the outbreak. The study aimed to provide insights on how to strengthen public health responses to protect healthcare workers both physically and mentally, and effectively control the disease in light of hierarchy of controls. Methods A cross-sectional survey was distributed online via Qualtrics to frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 through a university’s nursing program and received 267 valid responses from 103 certificated nursing assistants, 125 nurses, and 39 other health professionals. A descriptive data analysis with a Chi-square test at a two-sided 0.05 level of significance was performed on factors that potentially affected mental health of healthcare workers and effectiveness of disease control at workplace in five domains. The themes were summarized on open-ended questions. Results About 30% of the respondents showed the symptom of depression and needed a further investigation. The influencing factors in five domains were examined. Engineering and administrative controls, as well as PPE were widely used in response to COVID-19. The respondents assessed the state and workplace responses to COVID-19 better than the federal government responses. The workplace responses were considered most effective. Multiple factors with a statistically significant correlation with effectiveness of the disease control at workplace were identified. Conclusions The study suggested that timely responses at policy level will be more effective than other measures in early prevention and control of the pandemic, mental distress should be addressed in addition to PPE, and nursing programs should consider providing a situation-specific career coaching or counseling for students. A longitudinal study at a larger scale is warranted to capture the variation of time change with the disease control evolvement and across geographic regions.

scholarly journals Occupational Disruptions during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Association with Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 9263
Author(s):  
Natasha Smallwood ◽  
Amy Pascoe ◽  
Leila Karimi ◽  
Marie Bismark ◽  
Karen Willis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Background: The COVID-19 crisis has caused prolonged and extreme demands on healthcare services. This study investigates the types and prevalence of occupational disruptions, and associated symptoms of mental illness, among Australian frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A national cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 27 August and 23 October 2020. Frontline healthcare workers were invited to participate via dissemination from major health organisations, professional associations or colleges, universities, government contacts, and national media. Data were collected on demographics, home and work situations, and validated scales of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and burnout. Results: Complete responses were received from 7846 healthcare workers (82.4%). Most respondents were female (80.9%) and resided in the Australian state of Victoria (85.2%). Changes to working conditions were common, with 48.5% reporting altered paid or unpaid hours, and many redeployed (16.8%) or changing work roles (27.3%). Nearly a third (30.8%) had experienced a reduction in household income during the pandemic. Symptoms of mental illness were common, being present in 62.1% of participants. Many respondents felt well supported by their workplaces (68.3%) and believed that workplace communication was timely and useful (74.4%). Participants who felt well supported by their organisation had approximately half the risk of experiencing moderate to severe anxiety, depression, burnout, and PTSD. Half (50.4%) of respondents indicated a need for additional training in using personal protective equipment and/or caring for patients with COVID-19. Conclusions: Occupational disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic occurred commonly in health organisations and were associated with worse mental health outcomes in the Australian health workforce. Feeling well supported was associated with significantly fewer adverse mental health outcomes. Crisis preparedness focusing on the provision of timely and useful communication and support is essential in current and future crises.

scholarly journals Ageing on the Frontlines: Examining the Experiences of Older Frontline Healthcare Workers in Singapore General Hospital During The COVID-19 Pandemic.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard Charles ◽  
Sophia Lau Pei Wen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Risk Area ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
Singapore General Hospital ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

Abstract Objectives: The first aim of this study was to understand the psychosocial impacts faced by our older healthcare frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore General Hospital. Secondly, we hoped to explore the issues faced by an ageing healthcare workforce and recommend improvements in daily operations for future health crises. Lastly, we wanted to analyse ageist attitudes and misconceptions of being an older adult and recommend future changes in organizational policies.Methods: This is a mixed-methods cross-sectional survey. A self-designed questionnaire was developed by the study team through FormSG. It consists of 9 open and 45 closed-ended questions. Data were collected during the months of December 2020 and January 2021. Healthcare workers aged 62 years old and above were eligible to participate in this study by scanning a QR code or via weblink.Results: Participants had expressed mixed feelings while working during the COVID-19 pandemic such as uncertainty (75%), anxiety (58%), fear (42%), stress (25%), and sadness (25%). 75% of the participants went on to acknowledge that due to their job, their loved ones would be at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. Similarly, 75% responded that they were determined to do their duty as a frontline healthcare worker despite fears of being diagnosed with COVID-19 present amongst 33% of the participants. 25% of participants felt motivated to be frontline healthcare workers with no reports of any form of discrimination from the public. 92% of the participants were aware that due to their age, they stood a much higher chance of contracting COVID-19 and had not considered being deployed to a lower risk area in fears of their health. All participants had taken part in the annual flu vaccination program, with 58% of responses indicating they believe the annual flu vaccination can prevent them from contracting COVID-19.Conclusion: Older adults bring forth a wealth of experiences in any organisation, however, as much experience as there may be, the ageing process is also accompanied by a myriad of complex challenges. Having strong social, professional, and familial support has allowed older adults to tide through this pandemic psychosocially. It is of utmost importance to understand the strengths and unique challenges that come with working in an intergenerational workforce, despite so the intergenerational economy can flourish with proper management skills and job re-designing, re-tooling, and re-skilling resources to ensure the right fit to employability skills and staff loyalty. Moreover, even younger staff will age through time.

Psychosocial Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Frontline Healthcare Workers in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quratul-Ain Zafar
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Psychosocial Impact ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline healthcare workers in Pakistan in terms of psychological factors emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout. Study Design: Observational cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at different hospitals across Pakistan and data collection was carried out from 15th June 2020 till 15th August 2020. Material and Methods: This was a questionnaire-based study aiming to compare the levels of burnout and emotional distress between frontline COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 healthcare workers. Any physician, nurse, and other healthcare workers were recruited from emergency care units and Covid-19 care units (target group), and non-COVID-19 care units (control group). Participation was voluntary and participants had to complete self-reported questionnaires and scales. A mixed-mode data collection was carried out, either in paper or web-based form to ensure maximum participation. Results: The independent t-test showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding depression, stress, and insomnia. The study group showed higher scores for these factors than the control group. Chi-square test of association revealed significant scores of burnout and professional fulfillment in both groups. There was a higher prevalence of burnout in the study group than in the control group. Conclusion: This study concludes that there was a significant psychosocial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the frontline healthcare workers measured in terms of emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Vaccine Intention among Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 835
Author(s):  
Mohammed Noushad ◽  
Mohammad Zakaria Nassani ◽  
Anas B. Alsalhani ◽  
Pradeep Koppolu ◽  
Fayez Hussain Niazi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Positive Sign ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public Health Strategies

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused largescale morbidity and mortality and a tremendous burden on the healthcare system. Healthcare workers (HCWs) require adequate protection to avoid onward transmission and minimize burden on the healthcare system. Moreover, HCWs can also influence the general public into accepting the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, determining COVID-19 vaccine intention among HCWs is of paramount importance to plan tailor-made public health strategies to maximize vaccine coverage. A structured questionnaire was administered in February and March 2021 among HCWs in Saudi Arabia using convenience sampling, proceeding the launch of the vaccination campaign. HCWs from all administrative regions of Saudi Arabia were included in the study. In total, 674 out of 1124 HCWs responded and completed the survey (response rate 59.9%). About 65 percent of the HCWs intended to get vaccinated. The intention to vaccinate was significantly higher among HCWs 50 years of age or older, Saudi nationals and those who followed the updates about COVID-19 vaccines (p < 0.05). The high percentage (26 percent) of those who were undecided in getting vaccinated is a positive sign. As the vaccination campaign gathers pace, the attitude is expected to change over time. Emphasis should be on planning healthcare strategies to convince the undecided HCWs into accepting the vaccine in order to achieve the coverage required to achieve herd immunity.

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