Experiences of healthcare workers following occupational exposure to COVID-19 at the early stages of the pandemic: A phenomenological qualitative study.

AIM: To explore the experiences of healthcare workers (HCWs) following occupational exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the early stage of the pandemic. DESIGN: A Husserl descriptive phenomenological study design was employed. METHODS: Convenient and snowball sampling was used. In-depth semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted from February to March 2020 with the frontline HCWs who were exposed to COVID-19 during work. Data analysis was conducted following the 7-step analysis method developed by Colaizzi. RESULTS: Fifteen HCWs participated in the study. Four themes were identified, including (1) traumatic experiences since the occupational exposure; (2) getting through the hard time; (3) struggling to return to work; (4) reflections on occupational exposures. CONCLUSION: The HCWs had traumatic and painful experiences after the occupational exposure. But they returned to work with strong resilience, professional obligation and social support. Training and supervision, and adequate supply of personal protective equipment are suggested to prevent professional exposure. Social and organizational support should be provided for the exposed HCWs.

Anxiety and depression levels of the general population during the rapid progressing stage in the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak: a cross-sectional online investigation in China.

OBJECTIVE: The outbreak of COVID-19 has major impacts on the psychological health of the public. This study aimed to investigate the anxiety and depression levels of the general population during the rapid progressing stage of COVID-19 pandemic in China and to explore the associated factors. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional online survey. PARTICIPANTS: 2651 Chinese people. MEASURES: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to measure their psychological health. A structured questionnaire collected possible associated factors, including sociodemographic characteristics, health information, contact history-related information, experience and perceptions, knowledge and education and adopted precautions. Multiple linear regression was conducted to explore the factors associated with anxiety and depression. RESULTS: The mean score of anxiety and depression was 4.35 and 4.38, respectively. The rates of people with anxiety and depressive symptoms (with >7 score in the subscale) were 14.15% and 17.35%, respectively. Participants without political party membership, with contact history of COVID-19, going out or gathering, taking Chinese medicine herbs, being unsatisfied with current precautions, perceiving higher risks of infection, lower knowledge and poorer health presented higher anxiety and depression levels. Moreover, those who were females, married, lived alone and wore mask were more anxious; whereas people who were younger, experienced public health crisis, did not take precautions (regular work-rest, exercise) had higher depression level. CONCLUSIONS: During the rapid progressing stage of COVID-19 pandemic in China, one-seventh and one-sixth respondents presented anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. The risk factors for anxiety and depression included the following: without political party membership, with contact history of COVID-19, going out or gathering, wearing masks, taking Chinese medicine herbs, being unsatisfied with current precautions, perceiving higher susceptibility, lower knowledge and poorer health status. Extensive information and psychological support should be provided to improve the mental health of the general population.