A research on mental health status of public health aid professionals from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Africa / 公共卫生与预防医学

ABSTRACT

Objectives To investigate mental health status of public health aid professionals in Africa and its influencing factors. Methods From July of 2018 to July of 2019, all the third and forth batches of members from the Second Phase of the Fixed Biological Safety Laboratory Technical Cooperation Project in Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention totaling 21 individuals were tested by Symptom Check List 90 (SCL-90), general information forms and influencing factors forms before departure, at three and six months in Sierra Leone, and at one month after return respectively. Results Some of public health aid professionals experienced a phased psychological abnormality response (SCL-90>160). The total score of SCL-90 rises after the team departs for the Sierra Leone, peaks at 3 months, and then falls to the baseline level, showing a low-high-low trend. The scores of hostile and paranoid factors show a low-high-low-high trend. At different time points, there was no statistical difference between the total scores of SCL-90(P>0.05) and the force factor score was statistically different (P<0.05). Conclusions The overall mental health status of the public health aid professionals is well. All departments should take appropriate measures to protect and pay attention to the mental health development of public health aid professionals.