Psychological and mental wellbeing of healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has induced a substantial burden on healthcare organizations, with increased workload and stress for healthcare providers. Healthcare professionals working on the frontline are vulnerable to stress, putting their psychological and mental wellbeing in considerable jeopardy. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using data collected from a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed electronically to healthcare workers. The validated Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) were used to measure the level of stress of the healthcare professionals and the psychological impact of the pandemic on them. Results: Two hundred and thirteen participants were included. A third of the responders (34.3%) were previously infected with COVID-19, while 72.3% had to self-isolate during the pandemic. The average score for the K10 questionnaire was 24.8 ± 9 out of 50, where almost a third of the responders (33.3%) had very high psychological stress levels. The average score for the GSE was 30.2 ± 5.3 points out of 40. Nurses and physicians (p = 0.033) showed significantly higher scores on the K10 survey. Furthermore, nurses between ages 20 and 29 (p = 0.025) and nurses of any age (p = 0.009) had significantly high levels of psychological stress. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals are at significant risk of psychological and mental adverse effects, particularly nurses on the frontline. Such findings should drive initiatives to prepare task forces that can put forward and implement strategies to minimize the risk imposed on the psychological and mental wellbeing of frontline health workers.