Abstract
BackgroundUnderstanding the mental health needs of healthcare workers during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with a view of mitigating its impact on occupational functioning is vital.AimTo determine the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress amongst healthcare workers.SettingThe study was carried out in Nigeria during COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional quantitative study using a convenience sample was conducted amongst healthcare workers. The survey comprised of two Google formatted self-report questionnaires, a 12-item General Health Questionnaire and a questionnaire containing socio-demographic, work related and knowledge of COVID-19 variables. Questionnaires were distributed via closed professional WhatsApp platforms. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and logistic regression.ResultsThere were 313 respondents and prevalence of psychological distress was 47.0%. Females were almost twice as likely to have psychological distress as males (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.21–3.04, p = 0.006). Healthcare workers who had no contact with COVID-19 positive patients had an 87% reduced risk of psychological distress (OR = 0.13, 95%CI: 0.23–0.25, p = 0.018) compared with those who had contact with COVID-19 positive patients. Healthcare workers with poor knowledge of COVID-19 had a 44% reduced risk of psychological distress compared with those with good knowledge (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34–0.93, p = 0.025).ConclusionFindings revealed that healthcare workers in Nigeria reported psychological distress during COVID-19 pandemic. Greater risk was amongst females and those who had contact with COVID-19 positive patients whilst poor knowledge was protective.
Highlights
The pandemic of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in Wuhan, China, before becoming global.[1]
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of psychological distress amongst healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and to assess the associated, sociodemographic, level of knowledge and work-related correlates
Of the work-related variables, only having contact with COVID-19 positive patients was significantly associated with psychological distress (χ2 = 5.57, p = 0.018) (Table 2)
Summary
The pandemic of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in Wuhan, China, before becoming global.[1]. Studies suggest that healthcare workers develop increased levels of psychological distress during outbreak of infectious diseases, especially when work conditions are not favourable.[4,5] compromise of effective healthcare service delivery may be an aftermath of mental imbalance experienced by healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to the general population, healthcare workers can neither afford to stay safe at home nor practice physical distancing in view of their professional calling. Understanding the mental health needs of healthcare workers during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with a view of mitigating its impact on occupational functioning is vital
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