Acute Stress in Health Workers during Two Consecutive Epidemic Waves of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has provoked generalized uncertainty around the world, with health workers experiencing anxiety, depression, burnout, insomnia, and stress. Although the effects of the pandemic on mental health may change as it evolves, the majority of reports have been web-based, cross-sectional studies. We performed a study assessing acute stress in frontline health workers during two consecutive epidemic waves. After screening for trait anxiety/depression and dissociative experiences, we evaluated changes in acute stress, considering resilience, state anxiety, burnout, depersonalization/derealization symptoms, and quality of sleep as cofactors. During the first epidemic wave (April 2020), health workers reported acute stress related to COVID-19, which was related to state anxiety. After the first epidemic wave, acute stress decreased, with no increase during the second epidemic wave (December 2020), and further decreased when vaccination started. During the follow-up (April 2020 to February 2021), the acute stress score was related to bad quality of sleep. However, acute stress, state anxiety, and burnout were all related to trait anxiety/depression, while the resilience score was invariant through time. Overall, the results emphasize the relevance of mental health screening before, during, and after an epidemic wave of infections, in order to enable coping during successive sanitary crises.

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Task-shifting in Mental Health Services: Extent, Impact and Challenges in Ghana

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.988 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S618-S618

Author(s):

V. Agyapong

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Policy ◽

Health Workers ◽

Continuing Professional Development ◽

Task Shifting ◽

Mental Health Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

AimTo examine the role and scope of practice of community mental health workers (CMHWs) as well as the impact and challenges associated with of work of CMHWs within Ghana's mental health delivery system.MethodsA cross sectional survey of 11 psychiatrists, 29 health policy directors and 164 CMHWs as well as key informant interviews with 3 CMHWs, 5 psychiatrists and 2 health policy directors and three focus group discussions with 21 CMHWs. Results of quantitative data were analysed with SPSS version 20 whilst the results from qualitative data were analysed manually through thematic analysis.ResultsIn addition to duties prescribed in their job descriptions, all the CMHWs identified several jobs that they routinely perform including jobs reserved for higher level cadres such as medication prescribing for which most of the CMHWs have no training. Some CMHWs reported they had considered leaving the mental health profession because of the stigma, risk, lack of opportunities for continuing professional development and career progression as well as poor remuneration. Almost all the stakeholders believed CMHWs in Ghana receive adequate training for the role they are expected to play although many identify some gaps in the training of these mental health workers for the expanded roles they actually play. All the stakeholders expressed concerns about the quality of the care provided by CMHWs.ConclusionThe study highlights several important issues, which facilitate or hinder effective task-shifting arrangements from psychiatrists to CMHWs and impact on the quality of care provided by the latter.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

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Morningness, eveningness chronotype traits and sleep quality among healthcare workers in shift work-a cross-sectional study from a tertiary care hospital in Kerala

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20205732 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 417

Author(s):

P. Thiyagarajan Palanichamy

Keyword(s):

Sleep Quality ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Allied Health ◽

Health Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Quality Of Sleep ◽

Strong Negative Correlation ◽

Cross Sectional

Background: Sleep is basic physiological requirement. Sleep quality have impact on employee behaviour like alertness at work, error-making and absenteeism. The sleep disorders of nurses and other allied health workers have been reported as a risk factor for patient safety.Studies have found high prevalence of poor sleep quality among nurses. Main objective of this study was aimed to find out the morningness, eveningness chronotypes and sleep quality among allied health workers in shift work.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among nursing and other allied health workers working in shifts using Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ). After final scores participants were categorized as having good or bad quality of sleep and different chronotypes as per the scoring guidelines given. Chi-square test, Pearson’s partial correlation analyses done using SPSS software.Results: Only 26.9% had good quality sleep (mean PSQI score 8.9±4.5). Among chronotypes 69.9% were intermediateness and 30.1% were moderate morningness (mean MEQ score 55.5±7). 87.1% participants go to sleep within one hour after dinner. 40% use mobile phones in bed. 31.2% took up to 30 mins (mean 22.15±13.8) to get asleep. Strong negative correlation found between the sleep hours and total PSQI score (r=-0.495; p=0.000).Conclusions: Higher prevalence of poor quality of sleep with intermediateness as preferred circadian chronotype, there was also a strong negative correlation found between the hours of sound sleep and the total PSQI score.

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Association between Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Diagnostic Flexible Video Bronchoscopy

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph181910374 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (19) ◽

pp. 10374

Author(s):

Beata Brajer-Luftmann ◽

Marcin Mardas ◽

Marta Stelmach-Mardas ◽

Dorota Lojko ◽

Halina Batura-Gabryel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Trait Anxiety ◽

State Anxiety ◽

Positive Association ◽

The Elderly ◽

Anxiety Level ◽

Patients At Risk ◽

Anxiety Depression ◽

Reduced State

Bronchoscopy is one of the basic invasive procedures in pulmonology accompanied by patients’ anxiety. This study aimed to find an association between predictors of state anxiety/depression and patient’s quality of life (QOL) with pulmonary symptoms undergoing diagnostic flexible video bronchoscopy (FVB). A total of 125 adult patients before FVB were included in a prospective observational study. The quality of life (QOL) was assessed by WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, the depression possibility by the Beck’s Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and the anxiety level by Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S; STAI-T). Results show that the older patients and patients with more comorbidities showed a significantly higher anxiety level. The previous FVB under deep sedation significantly reduced state anxiety. A significantly positive association was found between the STAI score and total BDI-II score. More severe symptoms of anxiety were especially related to lower QOL (physical health, psychological and environmental domains) in patients. Statistically higher trait anxiety in lower social QOL domain scores was observed. Our findings show that high state and trait anxiety were associated with higher depression scores and lower quality of life in the elderly. It seems that the elderly and patients at risk of depression development require more attention in the clinical setting to minimize the anxiety accompanying the bronchoscopy.

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Mental health impacts among health workers during COVID-19 in a low resource setting: a cross-sectional survey from Nepal

10.21203/rs.3.rs-40089/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Pratik Khanal ◽

Navin Devkota ◽

Minakshi Dahal ◽

Kiran Paudel ◽

Devavrat Joshi

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Workers ◽

Health Problems ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

History Of ◽

Precautionary Measures ◽

Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background: Health care workers exposed to COVID-19 might be at increased risk of developing mental health problems. The study aimed to identify factors associated with anxiety, depression and insomnia among health workers involved in COVID-19 response in Nepal. Methods: This was a cross-sectional web-based survey conducted between April 26 and May 12, 2020. A total of 475 health workers participated in the study. Anxiety and depression were measured using a 14-item Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS: 0- 21) and insomnia was measured by using a 7-item Insomnia Severity Index (ISI: 0-28). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to determine the risk factors of mental health outcomes. Results: Overall, 41.9% of health workers had symptoms of anxiety, 37.5% had depression symptoms and 33.9% had symptoms of insomnia. Stigma faced by health workers was significantly associated with higher odds of experiencing symptoms of anxiety (AOR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.62-3.76), depression (AOR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.34-3.11) and insomnia (AOR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.46-3.84). History of medication for mental health problems was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing symptoms of anxiety (AOR: 3.40; 95% CI:1.31-8.81), depression (AOR: 3.83; 95% CI: 1.45-10.14) and insomnia (AOR: 3.82; 95% CI: 1.52-9.62) while inadequate precautionary measures in the workplace was significantly associated with higher odds of exhibiting symptoms of anxiety (AOR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.12-3.19) and depression (AOR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.16-3.37). Nurses (AOR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.21-4.47) were significantly more likely to experience anxiety symptoms than other health workers. Conclusion: The study findings revealed a considerate proportion of anxiety, depression and insomnia symptoms among health workers during the early phase of the pandemic in Nepal. Health workers facing stigma, those with history of medication for mental health problems, and those reporting inadequate precautionary measures in their workplace were more at risk of developing mental health outcomes. A focus on improving mental wellbeing of health workers should be immediately initiated with attention to reduction of stigma, ensuring an adequate support system such as personal protective equipments, and family support for those with history of mental health problems.

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Effects of mobility restrictions on mental health among young adults in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-279518/v3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tannia Valeria Carpio Arias ◽

Piedra Santiago ◽

Tomás Marcelo Nicolalde Cifuentes ◽

Diana Carolina Mogrovejo Arias ◽

María Victoria Padilla Samaniego ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young Adults ◽

Eating Behavior ◽

Sense Of Coherence ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Quality Of Sleep ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthy Eating Behavior ◽

Lower Mobility

Abstract Purpose: To explore the effects of mobility restriction on the mental health of Ecuadorian young adults. Methods: The current is a cross-sectional study that included 8426 young adults. Socio-demographic and mental health data were collected through an online survey during May-June 2020 in Ecuador. Data on mobility was extracted from Google Mobility Reports. Four aspects of the participants’ mental health were evaluated: eating behavior (emotional eating), depression, sleep quality and sense of coherence using previously validated instruments. Data were analyzed using linear regression using R. Results: Mean age of the participants was 22.85 (SD = 4.43), most of whom were women (n = 5943, 70.53%). During mandatory confinement, mobility due to retail and recreation, to groceries and pharmacies, to parks, to transit stations, to workplaces were reduced by nearly 50%. In contrast, mobility to places of residence increased by nearly 20%. Less healthy eating behavior was associated with lower mobility to retail/recreation, residential or workplaces. Depression was associated with lower mobility to residential and workplaces. Worse quality of sleep was associated with lower mobility to retail/recreation, residential and workplaces. Higher sense of coherence was associated with higher mobility to residential and to workplaces. Women and youngsters more often showed depression, less healthy eating behavior, worse quality of sleep and lower sense of coherence. Conclusion: Mobility restrictions during COVID-19 pandemic has negative effects on people's mental health. Prevention and health promotion measures directed to ameliorate the effects of confinement on mental health should target risk populations including women and youngsters.

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Associations Between Self-Reported Sleep, Wellbeing and Physical Activity in Irish Adolescents

10.20944/preprints202107.0617.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

John Murphy ◽

Mary Rose Sweeney ◽

Anna Donnla O'Hagan ◽

Bronagh McGrane

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Quality Of Sleep ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Negatively Associated ◽

The Relationship

Growing evidence suggests sleep plays an important role in the development of healthy adolescents, with increased interest in the associations between sleep and mental health. Higher duration and quality of sleep has been suggested as a mechanism for increased wellbeing in adolescents. Cross sectional data was collected from 5,661 Irish adolescents. 55% of Irish adolescents reported meeting the guidelines for adolescents of 8-10 hours per night. This was found to decrease with age. Higher duration and quality of sleep was positively associated with wellbeing and negatively associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. A higher frequency of physical activity was associated with longer duration and higher quality of sleep. 9-10 hours of sleep was associated with the highest levels of wellbeing and lowest symptoms of anxiety and depression. The relationship between physical activity and increased wellbeing may be impacted by physical activity leading to higher durations and quality of sleep.

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Association between Sense of Coherence Associated with Mental Health in Caregivers of Older Adults

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16203800 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (20) ◽

pp. 3800 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

López-Martínez ◽

Serrano-Ortega ◽

Moreno-Cámara ◽

del-Pino-Casado

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Sense Of Coherence ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Subjective Burden ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Anxiety Depression

The purpose of this study was to analyze association between sense of coherence and perceived burden, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in caregivers of older adults. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a probabilistic sample of 132 caregivers of older relatives from the regions of Jaén, Spain. The measures assessed were sense of coherence (Life Orientation Questionnaire), subjective burden (Caregiver Strain Index of Robinson), anxiety and depression (Goldberg Scale), and quality of life (Health Questionnaire SF-12). The main analyses included bivariate analysis using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multivariate analysis through canonical correlation analysis. Our findings show that the sense of coherence explained 50.8% of the variance shared between subjective burden, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. We highlighted manageability as the variable within the dimensions of the sense of coherence with the greatest participation in the model. The sense of coherence may be an important protective factor for the mental health of the caregiver of dependent elderly relatives.

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Mental health impacts among health workers during COVID-19 in a low resource setting: a cross-sectional survey from Nepal

Globalization and Health ◽

10.1186/s12992-020-00621-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Pratik Khanal ◽

Navin Devkota ◽

Minakshi Dahal ◽

Kiran Paudel ◽

Devavrat Joshi

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Workers ◽

Health Problems ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

History Of ◽

Precautionary Measures ◽

Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background Health care workers exposed to COVID-19 might be at increased risk of developing mental health problems. The study aimed to identify factors associated with anxiety, depression and insomnia among health workers involved in COVID-19 response in Nepal. Methods This was a cross-sectional web-based survey conducted between April 26 and May 12, 2020. A total of 475 health workers participated in the study. Anxiety and depression were measured using a 14-item Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS: 0–21) and insomnia was measured by using a 7-item Insomnia Severity Index (ISI: 0–28). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to determine the risk factors of mental health outcomes. Results Overall, 41.9% of health workers had symptoms of anxiety, 37.5% had depression symptoms and 33.9% had symptoms of insomnia. Stigma faced by health workers was significantly associated with higher odds of experiencing symptoms of anxiety (AOR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.62–3.76), depression (AOR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.34–3.11) and insomnia (AOR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.46–3.84). History of medication for mental health problems was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing symptoms of anxiety (AOR: 3.40; 95% CI:1.31–8.81), depression (AOR: 3.83; 95% CI: 1.45–10.14) and insomnia (AOR: 3.82; 95% CI: 1.52–9.62) while inadequate precautionary measures in the workplace was significantly associated with higher odds of exhibiting symptoms of anxiety (AOR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.12–3.19) and depression (AOR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.16–3.37). Nurses (AOR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.21–4.47) were significantly more likely to experience anxiety symptoms than other health workers. Conclusion The study findings revealed a considerate proportion of anxiety, depression and insomnia symptoms among health workers during the early phase of the pandemic in Nepal. Health workers facing stigma, those with history of medication for mental health problems, and those reporting inadequate precautionary measures in their workplace were more at risk of developing mental health outcomes. A focus on improving mental wellbeing of health workers should be immediately initiated with attention to reduction of stigma, ensuring an adequate support system such as personal protective equipments, and family support for those with history of mental health problems.

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P0033COMPARISON OF ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL, RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED PILOT STUDY

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation ◽

10.1093/ndt/gfaa142.p0033 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽

Author(s):

Tuba Elif Ozler ◽

Cemal Alay ◽

Egemen Cebeci ◽

Sami Uzun ◽

Serhat Karadag ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Beck Depression Inventory ◽

Trait Anxiety ◽

Early Stage ◽

Short Form ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Independent Variables ◽

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney ◽

Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background and Aims Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney (ADPKD), in addition to uremic signs and symptoms, the need for renal replacement therapy and the risk of transferring the disease to their children put them under physical and mental stress. This may affect the psychosocial status of patients. In this study, we compared diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients who were expected to progress rapidly with early-stage ADPKD patients to reveal anxiety, depression and quality of life. Method In our cross-sectional, randomized controlled and single-center study, 55 adult patients with early stage ADPKD with eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 50 patients with DN as control group were included. Both groups were applied to state trait anxiety inventory (STAI), patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), quality of life short form 36 and Beck depression inventory in order to evaluate their depression, anxiety and quality of life. Depression, anxiety and quality of life questionnaires’ results, demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory findings of the two groups were compared. Results Comparison of patients’ and control groups demographic and clinical characteristics, and laboratory data were shown in Table 1. According to state trait anxiety inventory; moderate and high levels of anxiety were present in 94% patients with ADPKD and in 66% patients with DN (p<0.001). According to Beck depression inventory; depression is detected in 58.2% patients with ADPKD and in 26% patients with DN (p=0.001). When the PHQ-9 results were compared; depression is prevalent in 55.6% patients with ADPKD and in 34.7% patients with DN (p=0.037). Although ADPKD patients were at an early stage, we found anxiety and depression more frequent and severe than DN patients. While physical life quality was similar in both group; mental quality of life was lower in ADPKD patients according to quality of life short form 36 (p= 0.32 and p= 0.03 respectively) (Table 2). Independent variables affecting Beck depression inventory score; being a woman, smoking and being diagnosed with ADPKD; independent variables affecting PHQ9 score; being female and the excess of the number of medical tablets used daily; independent variables affecting personal trait anxiety score; being a woman, smoking, being diagnosed with ADPKDD, and presence of hypertension. Conclusion In ADPKD patients, anxiety, depression and decrease in quality of life can be seen more frequently than other uremic patients even in the early period when renal functions are preserved. This group of patients should be evaluated in this respect from the early stages of the disease.

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