Study of correlates of depression among health care workers during COVID-19 epidemic

ABSTRACT

Aims: Study aimed to find out the prevalence and risk factors of depression among the health care workers during COVID-19 outbreak. Methods and Material: This was a four month, cross-sectional, observational, single center study of heath care workers of a notified COVID-19 hospital. Study objectives were explained to health care workers, and written consent was obtained. Patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), DSM-5 criterion of major depressive disorder and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 were used to diagnose the depression. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and Binary logistic regression were used for analysis of variables Results: Overall 18.78% health workers reported major depressive disorder. Nearly three fourth of the old age participants had moderate to severe depression. 20.69% of married subjects had major depression. Medical health workers reported more depression. One third of the front line workers had major depression. 51% of the participants with medical co-morbidities reported major depression as compared to only 12% in those without any medical co-morbidity.33% of subjects watching COVID-19 news very frequently in a day had major depression Discussion: The prevalence of depression ranges from 9 to 35% in various studies. Among them living in joint family, married, elderly, presence of medical illness, frontline work, frequently watching COVID-19 news, excessive fear of COVID-19, and medical health worker emerged as statistically significant variables associated with major depression Conclusions: The prevalence of depression is high among health care workers while performing duties during COVID-19 outbreak. Early diagnosis and treatment of depression would be crucial during this difficult time. © 2021 Polish Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.