Psychological distress among primary health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in Mansoura, Egypt

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a lot of pressure on primary healthcare (PHC) workers globally. The study aimed to estimate the level of psychological distress among PHC workers during the current COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors in Mansoura, Egypt. Methods: A cross-sectional study on 415 PHC workers was implemented using self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included socio-demographic, work-related data, and Arabic COVID-19 Psychological Distress Scale. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors of psychological distress. Results: More than half (53.3%) of PHC workers had high psychological distress. Multiple logistic regression showed that the significant predictors of high distress level were Para-medical PHC staff (AOR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.0–2.6), smoking (AOR = 3.6; 95% CI 1.4–9.5), having or suspected corona infection (AOR = 3.4; 95% CI 1.5–7.8), afraid from contracting corona (AOR = 7.4; 95% CI 3.6–15.3), worry about family (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.0–6.9), worry at the beginning of the pandemic (AOR = 4.1; 95% CI 2.1–8.4), non-practice of sport (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.1–2.9), and non-training to deal with corona cases (AOR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.1–3.3). Conclusions: High psychological distress level was observed among PHC workers. Psychological support and timely programs should be planned to alleviate stress among PHC workers especially at-risk groups during the current pandemic.