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Mental health outcomes and workplace quality of life among South African pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.
Dhindayal, Sherishka; Letsoalo, Marothi P; Gengiah, Tanuja N.
  • Dhindayal S; Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa. Sherishka.Dhindayal@caprisa.org.
  • Letsoalo MP; Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa.
  • Gengiah TN; Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa.
J Pharm Policy Pract ; 15(1): 66, 2022 Oct 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2079556
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers is gaining attention globally. This study assessed the quality-of-working life (QoWL) and prevalence of, and risk factors for anxiety, depression and stress among South African pharmacists.

METHODS:

An online survey, after stratification by province, was sent to 3435 (target = 2454) randomly selected pharmacists between 14 April to 18 May 2021. Sociodemographic data were collected and mental health was assessed using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale and a modified Work-Related Quality-of-Life tool. Prevalence of anxiety, depression, stress and QoWL was estimated. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with mental health outcomes.

RESULTS:

A total of 953/2454 pharmacists (38.8%) responded. Of these, 56.5% were 40 years or younger, 78.5% were female, 45.4% were White race and 44.5% were practicing in a community pharmacy setting. Pharmacists demonstrated symptoms of anxiety (n = 605, 66.1%), depression (n = 561, 62.9%), stress (n = 642, 73.8%) and low QoWL (n = 409, 51.3%). Significant risk factors (aOR; 95%CI) for anxiety, depression and stress were female gender (1.96;1.36-2.83,1.84;1.27-2.67,1.58;1.05-2.38, history of mental health conditions (2.50; 1.52-4.13, 3.68; 2.19-6.19, 3.34;1.85-6.03) and significant COVID-19 mitigation changes to pharmacy practice (2.70; 1.36-5.38, 4.23; 2.06-8.70, 3.14;1.44-6.82), respectively. Practice changes were also associated with a low QoWL (5.19; 2.40-11.8). Compared to their Black/African colleagues, Indian pharmacists were at higher risk for anxiety (1.82; 1.03-3.23) and stress symptoms (2.28; 1.21-4.32), while risk for depression was significant amongst White pharmacists (1.86; 1.05-3.32). Pharmacists living apart from family were at significant risk for anxiety (1.66; 1.15-2.41), depression (1.52; 1.06-2.18) and low QoWL (1.60; 1.10-2.34).

CONCLUSIONS:

COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant negative impact on the mental health of South African pharmacists. Interventions to support the psychological well-being and improve QoWL of pharmacists are needed.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Journal: J Pharm Policy Pract Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S40545-022-00463-7

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Journal: J Pharm Policy Pract Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S40545-022-00463-7