Investigation of the effect of smoking on depression and stress in healthcare workers during a pandemic

Abstract

Aim: In the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers suffer from significant stress and anxiety disorders. The importance of smoking in the mortality and morbidity of COVID-19 disease is obvious. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of smoking on depression and perceived stress in healthcare workers who served at the forefront during the pandemic period. Material and Methods: In our study, participants were asked questions on the Depression Severity Scale (PHQ-9), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS 14), and the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) using aquestionnaire method, and the results were evaluated. Results: Depression and stress symptoms were most often found in the healthcare workers included in our study. However, there was no statistically significant difference in depression and perceived stress scale between smoking and non-smoking groups. Discussion: Previous studies have demonstrated that smokers are more affected by COVID-19 and that their morbidity rate is higher. Because of this informa-tion, smoking healthcare professionals are more symptomatic in terms of mental health disorders, but no statistical difference was reported between smokers and non-smokers in this study in terms of being symptomatic. Although smoking was revealed as a comorbidity for COVID-19, there was no significant difference between smoking and non-smoking healthcare professionals in terms of mental health disorders.