Mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the front-line health care workers in a tertiary care hospital in rawalpindi, pakistan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To explore the mental health impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the front-line health care workers at a tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. STUDY DESIGN Cross sectional research. PLACE AND DURATION OF THE STUDY This study was conducted from 6th May to 6th June 2020 at Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Through purposive sampling, all frontline healthcare workers involved in the care of positive or high suspicion cases of COVID-19 at Triage clinics and Corona wards were recruited. Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) and Impact of events scale-revised (IES-R) were administered; factors associated with significant mental health impact were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. RESULTS A total of 94 frontline healthcare workers were made part of the sample. 18 (19.1%) reported significant depression while 32 (34%) had significant anxiety. Female gender and greater degree of contact with PCR positive COVID-19 cases were significantly related with higher depression and anxiety. Significant stress was reported by 33 (35.1%); there was a significant association of stress with being female, single, a nurse or paramedic and a greater degree of contact with PCR positive COVID-19 cases. 38 (40.4%) participants showed presence of significant trauma; healthcare workers at corona isolation unit or ICU were amongst the most affected. CONCLUSION Depression, anxiety, stress and trauma were seen among the front liners fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Special attention should be paid to the mental health needs of this vulnerable population, particularly females and those having a greater contact with PCR positive cases in high-risk settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]