Post-traumatic stress of Primary Health Care workers during Covid-19. Comparative study between reference and non-reference centers

Abstract

Introduction: The SARS-Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic has been one of the deadliest pandemics in recent years worldwide. Primary Health Care helped significantly in the pandemic with the main purpose of decongesting Secondary Hospitals. Purpose: To estimate the rate of post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder in reference and non-reported Health Center staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methodology: The sample consisted of 210 employees in Primary Health Reference and Non-Reference Centers Covid-19 of the prefecture of Attica. Data collection was done by completing online questionnaires. The research tools used were the DSM-5 Post-Traumatic Stress Self-Report Questionnaire (PC-PTSD-5), and the CAD 7 Generalized Anxiety Disorder Self-Report Scale. Results: In the present study, post-traumatic stress was found on the PC-PTSD-5 scale with scores> 3 in 22.4% and> 4 in 15.2% of the study population. Anxiety disorder of mild, moderate and severe level was recorded in 22.9%, 17.1% and 20% of participants respectively. Significant positive correlation (p <0.001) of the PC-PTSD-5 score with the GAD-7 scale was found. personal protection measures (p <0.001). Conclusions: Post-traumatic stress and anxiety significantly affect Primary Health Care workers. Our findings identify factors associated with higher levels of psychological impact that can be used to shape psychological interventions to improve the mental health of Center Health workers following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.