ABSTRACT
Objective: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, an increased mental burden has been widely reported among medical health workers such as physicians and nurses. However, data on laboratory technicians exposed to COVID-19 have rarely been published. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of psychological symptoms among laboratory technicians and analyze potential risk factors associated with these symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was performed via the Wenjuanxing platform (a professional online questionnaire platform) (https://www.wjx.cn/mobile/statnew.aspx) to investigate the mental health of laboratory technicians during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hebei, China from October 4, 2021, to November 3, 2021. The online questionnaire included demographic and occupational characteristics data of responders, and the Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL90-R)was used to quantify the magnitude of psychological symptoms among laboratory technicians. Participants' demographic and occupational characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistical analyses. Chi-square tests were applied to compare the severity of each symptom between two or more groups. A binary logistic regression model was developed to identify the predictors of laboratory technicians' mental health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and outcomes are presented as odds ratios and 95% confidence interval. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21 (SPSS, New Orchard Road, Armonk, New York, USA). Results: A total of 3081 valid questionnaires were collected. Of these 3081 participants, 338 (11.0%) reported a total SCL90-R score >160, which indicated positive psychological symptoms. Among the 338 participants who reported psychological problems, most of them were mild symptoms. Several factors associated with mental health problems in laboratory technicians during COVID-19 were found, which include a history of physical and/or psychological problems (all 10 symptoms p < 0.001), more than 10 years of work experience (depression symptoms: OR = 2.350, p = 0.024; anxiety symptoms: OR = 2.642, p = 0.038), frontline work (depression symptoms: OR = 1.761, p = 0.001; anxiety symptoms: OR = 2.619, p < 0.001; hostility symptoms: OR = 1.913, p = 0.001), participant in more than 3 times large-scale SARS-CoV-2 screenings and more than 36 h per week in SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid testing. Conclusion: A portion of laboratory technicians reported experiencing varying levels of psychological burden. During the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple interventions should be developed and implemented to address existing psychosocial challenges and promote the mental health of laboratory technicians.
ABSTRACT
Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Delta variant was discovered in India in October 2020, it has rapidly triggered a second outbreak globally. However, the effects of the COVID-19 Delta variant on mental health in survivors and healthcare workers are unclear. The aim of this study is to assess mental health among the COVID-19 Delta variant survivors and healthcare workers, and analyze the possible impact factors. This survey-based, cross-sectional study used the Symptom Check List-90 Revised questionnaire to evaluate psychological status among 60 COVID-19 Delta variant survivors, 162 nurses, and 72 hygienists in Nanjing, China. Three indices and nine dimensions were compared for job, education level, gender, age, and marriage classification. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0. Mental distress among participants was not very serious in general. The survivors presented the highest score, followed by the hygienists, and the lowest score was in nurses. Low-educated individuals and women showed significant increase. No significant difference was noted in age and marriage classification. In this survey study of COVID-19 Delta variant survivors and healthcare workers in Nanjing, China, the survivors needed psychological support immediately. Meanwhile, healthcare workers warranted more attention, especially the lower education levels and women. A comprehensive emergency response plan was warranted.