Abstract
Objective: We aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout among hospital healthcare workers in Libya during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and civil war.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 18 to May 2, 2020 among Libyan healthcare workers. Data on participant characteristics were collected with a specifically designed questionnaire. Burnout was assessed with the abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI) comprising three subscales: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA), with each sub-scale score range from 0 to 18. For EE and DP, scores of 10 to 18 were regarded as “moderate to severe burnout.” PA was scored inversely, where a score ≤ 10 indicated severe burnout.Results: The study yielded a sample size of 532 participants. Of these, 357 (67.1%) reported emotional exhaustion (EE Score ≥ 10), 252 (47.4%) reported depersonalization (DP score ≥ 10), and 121 (22.7%) reported a lower sense of personal accomplishment (PA score ≤ 10). Verbal abuse was experienced by 304 participants (57.1%) and physical abuse in 93 (17.5). Gender was associated with high emotional exhaustion and high depersonalization. Being 35 years or older was associated with high depersonalization. Professional specialty was significantly associated with high emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Fear of COVID-19 infection was associated with high emotional exhaustion and high depersonalization.Conclusion: The rising prevalence of mental disorders and inadequate availability of health services facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and civil war demonstrated the need for healthcare policies to address the well-being of healthcare workers to decrease the risk of loss, suicide, and medical negligence.
Highlights
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus designated as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified as the cause of severe viral pneumonia in Wuhan, a city in Hubei Province, China [1]
Research indicates that frontline healthcare staff involved in the management and diagnosis of COVID-19 are at risk of experiencing psychiatric disturbances and deteriorating mental health [6]
We used the validated English version of Abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI), and the scale was tested for internal consistency, as determined by a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.76 for emotional exhaustion, α = 0.66 for depersonalization, α = 0.71 for personal accomplishment, and overall burnout α = 0.801
Summary
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus designated as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified as the cause of severe viral pneumonia in Wuhan, a city in Hubei Province, China [1] This virus was recognized as a global pandemic on February 11, 2020 [2]. Research indicates that frontline healthcare staff involved in the management and diagnosis of COVID-19 are at risk of experiencing psychiatric disturbances and deteriorating mental health [6]. This may be a result of various challenges, such as shortages of personal protective equipment, scarcity of appropriate medications, risk of infecting family members, expectations of inadequate assistance, and fear of contracting the virus. Along with the financial difficulties that physicians are facing in many countries, these factors place healthcare workers under considerable pressure, threatening their mental well-being [7, 8]
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