Anxiety and insomnia prevalence amongst healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic in Paraguay

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has tested the healthcare systems of countries worldwide, causing distress and anxiety in the general population, and healthcare workers have not been an exception. Objective: To detect the prevalence of anxiety and insomnia in public healthcare personnel working with Covid patients and their families. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). The sample consisted of 130 healthcare professionals. The study took place at the Regional Hospital and the Social Security Institute in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, throughout 2022. Data was collected using Google Forms. The main variables included gender, age, qualifications, professional experience, and weekly working hours. Results: The results revealed that 32,1 % of healthcare workers experienced anxiety, particularly nurses, doctors, women, and younger personnel. Additionally, 29,5 % suffered from insomnia, with a higher prevalence among women and younger healthcare workers, while physiotherapists and radiologists experienced fewer sleep problems. A correlation between anxiety and insomnia was observed. Conclusion: The study detected the prevalence of anxiety and insomnia and their associated factors in frontline healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Anxiety symptoms were present in 32,1 % of participants, and 29,5 % experienced insomnia. There is a need to develop both general and more specific measures to prevent or mitigate the main psychological consequences in these professionals.