ANALYZING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON DEPRESSION AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is thought to have affected the mental health of all humanity, especially health workers. It is important to evaluate prehospital healthcare workers fighting COVID-19 at the forefront in terms of depression, which is one of the most common psychiatric diseases, and to determine the factors that affect it. In this study, we aimed to analyze the COVID-19-related depression and associated factors among healthcare professionals working in pre-hospital emergency medical services (PEMS).MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a survey method on 552 healthcare professionals working in PEMS. The perceived risk and fear of being infected, trust in information sources, and depression levels as measured by Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) were evaluated in relation to COVID-19.RESULTS: Women had higher BDI scores than men (p = 0.009). BDI scores were higher in widowed or divorced compared to married or single individuals. Those with greater perceived risk and fear of being infected with COVID-19 had also increased BDI scores. BDI scores were higher in those with low trust in information sources and a low level of knowledge about the disease.CONCLUSIONS: Women, divorced or widowed, those with greater perceived risk and fear of being infected, those with low trust in information sources, and those with a low level of knowledge about the disease are more prone to depression associated with COVID-19 and hence should be supported.