Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of health care workers in CYPRUS

Abstract

Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a great impact on health care workers (HCWs) who are exposed to high levels of stress and trauma leading to negative mental health outcomes, including stress-related symptoms and depressive symptoms.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety and post traumatic stress symptoms related to to the COVID 19 pandemic in Cyprus.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we report on mental health outcomes among HCWs in Cyprus. Data were collected between May 3rd and May 27th, 2020, using an online questionnaire that included demographics, the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), assessing depressive symptoms, the Impact of Events Scale Revised (IES-R) measuring PTSD symptoms and the 10 item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) measuring stress.Results424 Health Care Workers (HCWs) participated in the study. 79 HCWs (18,6%) scored in PHQ-9 above the cut-off for depression while 62 HCWs (14,6%) scored high enough in IES-R indicating a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. The prevalence of depression and PTSD symptoms were significantly higher among nurses compared to doctors and other HCWs. (20.7% versus 10.8%; adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.70 [95% CI, 1.06 to 2.73]), after adjustment for age and sex.ConclusionsEven in countries like Cyprus with minimum impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on the mental health of HCWs is substantial with nurses being more vulnerable.