The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers

Authors : Elif İNÖNÜ, Selvi CERAN, Pelin AYDIN, Mediha Nur NİŞANCI YILMAZ, Yasemin HOSGÖREN ALICI, Çaşıt Olgun ÇELİK

Pages : 251-257

Doi:10.54617/adoklinikbilimler.1208200

View : 14 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 2023-05-13

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: The Coronavirus Disease-2019 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(COVID-19); pandemic has been potentially affecting the mental health of healthcare workers insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(HCWs); especially frontline workers due to isolation and loss of social support, risk of transmission to friends and relatives. We aimed to evaluate the mental health status of healthcare workers during the pandemic with the General Health Questionnaire-28 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(GHQ-28);. Materials and Method: This was a single-center, cross-sectional study with a population of 250 health workers at Baskent University. The GHQ-28 scale was used to detect mental disorders in study participants. The online questionnaire was transferred via official email to the participants. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann-Whitney U tests, and multiple logistic regression analysis. A p-value of <0.05 was set as statistically significant with a confidence interval of 95% level. Results: Of the respondents insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=250);, 66% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=165); were women and 61% were between 20-45 years, and 63.2% were married. Compared with second line health workers insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=196);, frontline workers insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=54); had a higher prevalence of somatic symptoms insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.01);, anxiety/insomnia and depression insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.01);. Multiple regression analyses showed that younger age insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(≤55 years);, female gender and being frontline workers were more likely to have mental problems insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.01);. Conclusion: Evaluating the mental status of HCWs and providing psychological support are essential to increase healthcare professionals’ ability to manage the pandemic process.
Keywords : COVID 19, Sağlık çalışanları, Mental sağlık, Genel Sağlık Anketi 28, Healthcare workers, Mental health, General Health Questionnaire 28