Mental health outcomes among health care workers exposed to covid-19 pandemic, qalyoubia governorate: Cross-sectional survey

Background: The pandemic caused by novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is considered the worst health crisis facing the entire world today. At the topmost of this crisis are the healthcare workers (HCWs) who are working to maintain well-being of all people. COVID-19 pandemic added more and more stress to healthcare workers in particular, depending on their work position. Objective: To assess mental health outcomes among HCWs dealing with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients. Methods: This is cross-sectional, hospital-based survey study conducted between Feb 6 and April 28, 2021. A total of 548 HCWs participated in the study. Mental health impact was assessed by using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and the 7-item Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to determine the risk factors of mental health outcomes. Results: Among the 548 HCWs surveyed; 64.8% were nurses and 50.0% aged from 26-30 years old. About 52.0% worked in Benha University Hospital, 21.2% worked in Toukh Fever Hospital, and 26.8% worked in Qaha Central Hospital. A considerable proportion of HCWs had symptoms of anxiety, depression and insomnia. Nurses, workers aged from 26-30, those working in Qaha Central Hospital and those who had shift hours from 7–10 experienced more severe symptom levels of depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Nurses were associated with severe symptoms of anxiety, depression and insomnia. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic represents a new working challenge for HCWs and intervention strategies to prevent depression and anxiety to reduce the risk of adverse mental health outcomes are needed.