ABSTRACT
Aims: The aim of the present study was to study the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic symptoms in Health-Care Workers (HCWs) of three Health Authorities of Emilia-Romagna, Italy during the COVID pandemic. Material(s) and Method(s): An online questionnaire was spread to the staff of the University Hospital of Modena and the Local Health Agencies of Modena and Romagna, including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R), and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale - Short Version (UWES-9). The scores at DASS-21 and IES-R were used as dependent variables in multivariate logistic regression models. Result(s): A total of 5868 HCWs were reached (response rate of 22.4%), 76.1% of which were women, mostly aged between 45 and 54 years. Rates of positive scores were: 27.9% DASS-21 Depression;28.4% DASS-21 Anxiety;34.7% DASS-21 Stress;21.9% IES-R. At the multivariate logistic regression, the following were statistically significant risk factors for positive scores: female sex, young age, and working at the front line. An increase in alcohol and tobacco consumption and worsening of eating habits were also strongly associated with symptoms. At UWES-9, the three samples reported lower vigor than dedication and absorption, which are at a medium-high level. Conclusion(s): HCWs have experienced high levels of emotional distress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant improvements are needed not only in terms of organization and distribution of resources, but also in provision of dedicated psycho-social interventions.Copyright © 2023
ABSTRACT
Aims: Health Care Workers (HCW) have had to deal with mental health-related stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic and exhibited higher rates of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of a sample of hospital HCWs was assessed over time, relating to quality of life, post-traumatic growth, burnout, sleep changes, and resilience. Method(s): An online, three-phase, survey was sent to the whole working population of the University Hospital of Modena, covering 12 months (baseline questionnaire sent in June 2020). Sociodemographic and behavioral information related to COVID-19 were collected, together with screening for anxiety, depression, stress, and post-traumatic symptoms. A multivariate analysis was conducted to analyze changes across time. Result(s): 457 HCWs completed all three stages of the survey, M/F ratio: 28.0/71.9%. Anxiety and stress were significantly associated to having been in direct charge of COVID+ patients (anxiety OR = 2.22, 95% C.I. = 1.06-4.78, p-value = 0.04;stress OR = 2.03, 95% C.I. = 1.05-3.95, p-value = 0.04). Stress was associated to perception of increased workload both at baseline (OR = 1.79, 95% C.I. = 1.02-3.18, p-value = 0.05) and at first follow-up (OR = 1.97, 95% C.I. = 1.08-3.73, p-value = 0.03). Significant changes over time were registered as to increased alcohol consumption and a more imbalanced diet. Conclusion(s): Results are helpful to guide support interventions and organizational actions to improve the well-being and functioning of HCWs.Copyright © 2023