A Cross Sectional Study of Psychological Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic Among Healthcare Workers

ABSTRACT

Introduction: January 31, 2020, WHO declared the COVID-19 crisis as a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.” Continuous surge in the number of confirmed cases throughout the world led to a sharp decline in the global health, economic development, and also affected social stability because of requirement of strict quarantine measures. As the cases increased around the globe and also in the country it started creating a psychological impact on healthcare workers. Material and Methods: This was a cross sectional study with sample size 222, which was conducted for the duration of 1 year among healthcare workers (consultant doctors, PG resident doctors, intern doctors, nursing staff, technicians) across Maharashtra through Google Forms and manually through direct contacts. Forms were circulated through digital medium and various social media platforms. Forms consisted of general demographic data along with semi-structured proforma to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 outbreak on healthcare workers using Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results: Total 222 participants which comprised of 54% Consultant Doctors, 30% Resident doctors, 8% interns, 6% nursing staff and 2% technicians were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 30.59 years. Out of 122 participants 32% Consultant Doctors were found to have signs and symptoms related to stress, 33% had symptoms suggesting depression and 37% had symptoms related to anxiety, 31% of Resident Doctors, were found to have signs and symptoms related to stress, 40 % had symptoms suggesting depression and 31% of the participants were having symptoms related to anxiety. 56% Interns were found to have signs and symptoms related to stress, 88% had symptoms suggesting depression and 56% of the participants were having symptoms related to anxiety. 16% of Nursing Staff were found to have signs and symptoms related to stress, 41% had symptoms suggesting depression and 50% of participants were found to have symptoms related to anxiety Conclusion: There were symptoms found which was pointing towards presence of various levels of Depression, Stress and Anxiety amongst the COVID-19 Pandemic Healthcare workers. Further it is the need of the hour to address these psychological impacts at the earliest to ensure a smooth & efficient functioning of the healthcare system.