Psychological Disorders among the Indonesian Healthcare Workers during the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic (2020)

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic and has caused tremendous psychological stress, potentially causing psychological disorders among healthcare workers as a vulnerable group. The COVID-19 pandemic's impacts are unavoidable for Indonesian healthcare workers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among Indonesian healthcare workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: An online survey was conducted from August until September 2020 among Indonesian healthcare workers, including general physicians, specialist doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, and laboratory staff. A standardized self-reported e-questionnaire was generated using the Google form and was shared through online platforms. A total of 1107 respondents were obtained. After providing informed consent, respondents completed a survey that collected sociodemographic data and assessed stress, anxiety, and depression using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS 42). Statistical analysis, including chi-squared tests or Fisher's exact tests, was employed, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The findings revealed a prevalence of 9.7% for stress, 20.1% for anxiety, and 8.8% for depression among Indonesian healthcare workers. Anxiety emerged as a predominant mental health issue, particularly among nurses. Stress closely mirrored anxiety's prevalence across professions, while depression exhibited lower prevalence rates compared to anxiety and stress. Conclusions: This study provides crucial insights into the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Indonesian healthcare workers, highlighting the significant burden of stress, anxiety, and depression. Urgent interventions and support mechanisms are warranted to safeguard the mental well-being of healthcare professionals amidst the ongoing crisis.