Assessment of Psychological Impact on the Health Care Workers due to Covid-19 Pandemic in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Karachi

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care workers in tertiary care hospitals of Karachi. METHODOLOGY: This is a multicentric cross-sectional study conducted at tertiary care hospitals of Karachi (Pakistan). A total of 350 health care workers, including both males and females, from different private and Government tertiary care hospitals, were approached and enrolled after fulfilling the selection criteria from May to Aug 2020. The semi-structured Performa was used for demographic details while the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD 7) were administered to evaluate depression and anxiety, respectively. RESULTS: Out of 350 participants, 220 (62.8%) have depression in this study, while 206 (58.8%) have anxiety. The degree of depression was mild in 81 (23.1%) of health care workers, moderate in59 (16.8%), moderately severe in 50 (14.2%), severe in 30 (8.6%). Similarly, mild anxiety was present in 75 (21.4%), moderate in 74 (21.1%), and severe anxiety in 57 (16.3%) persons. The most common problem they faced is ―Fear of transmission of disease family /close friends, being present in 311 (88.9%) p-value = 0.014. CONCLUSION: It is evident that health care workers are affected with depression and anxiety due to pandemic. It is necessary to take appropriate steps to manage the psychological impact of the stress to be more productive in their respective fields.