The initial psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare professionals in a children`s hospital

Authors : Betül ÖZTÜRK, Sadettin Burak AÇIKEL, Ali GÜNGÖR, Muhammed Mustafa GÜNEYLİOĞLU, Raziye Merve YARADILMIŞ, İlknur BODUR, Aysun TEKELİ, Ayla AKCA ÇAĞLAR, Aytaç GÖKTUĞ, Nilden TUYGUN, Can Demir KARACAN

Pages : 785-790

Doi:10.32322/jhsm.1307408

View : 92 | Download : 81

Publication Date : 2023-07-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aims: The pandemic has had devastating effects across the world particularly on healthcare professionals. We assessed anxiety and depression with somatization to discover the psychological effects of the pandemic. Methods: 250 healthcare workers in a tertiary pediatric teaching hospital were asked to respond to the questionnaire between 1 and 30 June 2020 and the responses were assessed via three scales including the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PHQ-9);, the General Anxiety Disorder 7 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(GAD-7); and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SSAS);. Results: A total of 242 participants responded insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(response rate 97%);; 29% of the participants reported moderate or severe anxiety while 49% reported moderate or more severe depression. There was no significant difference between the degrees of depression and moderate to severe anxiety through different professions insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p= 0.480, p=0.384, respectively);. Somatization was significantly lower in doctors and higher in female participants insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.001);. Participants with chronic diseases and ones that had a dependent relative were at higher risk for anxiety and depression. Conclusion: Most of the healthcare workers had depression and anxiety in the beginning of the pandemic, and it was independent of gender, profession, or workplace. Healthcare professionals with chronic diseases and dependent relatives are at risk for severe depression.
Keywords : COVID 19, pediatric, anxiety, depression, healthcare workers