Türk Sağlık Çalışanlarının Covid-19 Pandemisine Psikolojik Tepkileri: Damgalanmanın Etkisi

Anahtar Kelimeler: Anksiyete, COVÍD-19, damgalanma, depresyon, saǧlık çalışanları Introduction: The COVÍD-19 outbreak has resulted in huge psychological distress, especially for people working under risky conditions, such as healthcare workers. Being female, working with close contact with patients with COVÍD-19 and having a psychiatric disorder history were risk factors for psychological distress. The healthcare workers with significantly higher depression, anxiety, and stress scores described having less amount of personal protective equipment, lower support from their supervisors, and more unsafe working conditions. To minimize the psychological impact, additional risk factors such as having a previous psychiatric disorder, working under unsafe conditions, and stigmatization should be taken into account and a more supportive and safer environment should be provided.

Psychological Reactions of Turkish Healthcare Workers During Covid-19 Outbreak: The Impact of Stigmatization.

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has resulted in huge psychological distress, especially for people working under risky conditions, such as healthcare workers. We aimed to investigate the psychological challenges of Turkish healthcare workers during the outbreak and discuss the factors that increase their burden, including stigmatization. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey composed of sociodemographic data, questions about perceived stigma, and concerns about working conditions was completed. Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was also used. Results: 634 participants completed the survey and the prevalence of moderate to severe depression, anxiety, and stress-related symptoms were 36%, 35%, and 22%, respectively. Being female, working with close contact with patients with COVID-19 and having a psychiatric disorder history were risk factors for psychological distress. The healthcare workers with significantly higher depression, anxiety, and stress scores described having less amount of personal protective equipment, lower support from their supervisors, and more unsafe working conditions. Additionally, 7% of the participants stated that they perceived stigmatization by their families and close friends, 14% perceived stigmatization by their neighbours, relatives, and less intimate friends; and 7% perceived stigmatization by unfamiliar people. Healthcare workers who perceived other people as more dismissive had significantly higher depression and anxiety scores. Conclusion: Our study shows that healthcare workers are at risk of developing psychological disturbances during infectious outbreaks. To minimize the psychological impact, additional risk factors such as having a previous psychiatric disorder, working under unsafe conditions, and stigmatization should be taken into account and a more supportive and safer environment should be provided.

COVID-19 FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF NURSES: BEING A NURSE DURING THE PANDEMIC

The aim of this study was to determine the emotions, thoughts and experiences of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients. A qualitative research design was used in this descriptive type study. The sample of this study consisted of 16 nurses working in the COVID-19 clinics of a university hospital. Data were collected with face-to-face interview method by using "Semi-Structured Interview Form" and were analyzed with content analysis method. The experiences of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients were analyzed under two themes: "being a nurse in the COVID-19 clinic" and "being a nurse in social life". The theme of the 'being a nurse in the COVID-19 clinic' was divided into subthemes;fear, uncertainties, all responsibilities on the nurses, increase in workload, use of personal protective equipment, soldiers on the battlefield and satisfaction. The theme of 'being a nurse in social life' was divided into subthemes;stigma, fear to infect someone, fear, separation-loneliness and professional appearance. Nurses caring for COVID-19 patients have been adversely affected in bio-physiological, psychological and social aspects both during their professional responsibilities and in their social lives due to the difficulties they experienced during the pandemic process. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] Bu çalışma, COVID-19 hastalarına bakım veren hemşirelerin duygu, düşünce ve deneyimlerini belirlemek amacıyla yapıldı. Bu tanımlayıcı çalışmada niteliksel araştırma tasarımı kullanıldı. Araştırmanın örneklemini, bir üniversite hastanesinin COVID-19 kliniklerinde çalışan 16 hemşire oluşturdu. Veriler, "Yarı Yapılandırılmış Görüşme Formu" kullanılarak yüz yüze görüşme yöntemiyle toplandı ve içerik analizi yöntemi ile analiz edildi. COVID-19 hastalarına bakım veren hemşirelerin deneyimleri, "COVID-19 kliniğinde hemşire olmak" ve "sosyal yaşamda hemşire olmak" olmak üzere iki tema altında incelendi. 'COVID-19 kliniğinde hemşire olmak' teması;korku, belirsizlikler, hemşirelere düşen tüm sorumluluklar, iş yükünün artması, kişisel koruyucu ekipman kullanımı, savaş alanında askerler ve memnuniyet olarak alt temalara ayrıldı. 'Sosyal hayatta hemşire olmak' teması;damgalanma, birine bulaştırma korkusu, korku, ayrılık-yalnızlık ve profesyonel görünüş olarak alt temalara ayrıldı. COVID-19 hastalarına bakım veren hemşireler, pandemi sürecinde deneyimledikleri zorluklar nedeniyle hem mesleki sorumluklarını sürdürme sırasında hem de sosyal yaşamlarında biyofizyolojik, psikolojik ve sosyal yönden olumsuz etkilenmiştir. (Turkish) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Inonu University Health Services Vocational School is the property of Inonu Universitesi Saglik Hizmetleri Meslek Yuksekokulu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Social Support Promotes Mental Health During the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Study from Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) has several negative effects on mental health, given its rapid transmission, hygiene and isolation measures and associated social and financial difficulties. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mental health burden of the Turkish population and vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 outbreak, especially exploring the effects of social support. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We assessed depression, anxiety, stress symptoms and perceived social support among 894 people all over Turkey, using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) two months after the declaration of the first COVID-19 case in Turkey. RESULTS: According to DASS-21 subscale scores, the findings showed that the prevalence of moderate to severe depression, anxiety and stress-related symptoms was 24.8%, 21.9% and 12.6%, respectively. Female gender, being single, having a lifetime psychiatric disorder, lower education level and financial concerns were significantly associated with higher DASS-21 scores. Also, there was a negative correlation between all subgroups of perceived social support, especially from the family, and the total DASS-21 score. CONCLUSIONS: Vulnerable groups should be identified and protected to reduce adverse psychiatric outcomes of COVID-19. Besides, further strategies should be provided to maintain protective factors, such as social support, under stressful conditions.

The Presence of SARS-CoV-2 in Conjunctival Secretions of COVID-19 Patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in conjunctival secretions of COVID-19 patients.Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, the records were examined of patients who were treated in the hospital with the diagnosis of COVID-19 between March-May 2020 and were referred to the eye clinic due to ocular symptoms. Conjunctival swabs from both confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases during hospitalization were analyzed.Results: A total of 35 patients (22 suspected, 13 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19) were referred to the eye clinic. Conjunctival swab samples from 3 patients yielded positive PCR results. These three patients were being treated in the intensive care unit, and all were suspected COVID-19 patients.Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 may be detected in patients with suspected COVID-19. Even with conjunctivitis findings, SARS-CoV-2 may not be detected in most conjunctiva swab samples of COVID-19 patients.