Depression status and influencing factors of front-line nurses during prevention and control of COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the depression status and its influencing factors of front-line nurses in a COVID-19 hospital in Wuhan during the period of prevention and control. Methods: 521 front-line nurses in a hospital in Wuhan during the epidemic of COVID-19 were selected for the cross-sectional survey study. The general data, the PHQ-9 depression screening scale, and the perceived stress scale were used to assess their mental status. Results: The average depression score of the front-line nurses was 6.49±5.40, among which 57.94% of them were more than 5 point, the average score was 10.12±4.17. Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that gender, average sleep time per night, frequency of regular meals per week, negative events experience, fear of epidemic, and perceived stress level were independent factors for depressive symptoms of nurses. Conclusion: The depression symptoms of front-line nurses are common in the work against COVID-19. The government and the medical departments should formulate and adopt effective strategies to prevent psychological stress, and to promote the mental health of front-line nurses. © 2021, Editorial Board of Medical Journal of Wuhan University. All right reserved.