COVID-19 and its consequences on the physical, psychological and social health of obstetricians

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had effects on the health of health workers, including obstetricians, but the consequences in this occupational group are unknown. Objective: Determine the consequences of COVID-19 on the physical, psychological and social health of obstetricians in Peru. Methods: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, carried out on 511 attending obstetricians, in the first line of care. An online questionnaire, previously validated and reliable, was applied to measure the variables general characteristics and exposure to COVID-19, physical health, psychological health, and social health. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: 468 (91.6%) obstetricians are women, 287 (56.2%) aged 40-59 years, 213 (41.7%) married, 292 (57.1%) working at the first level of care;216 (42.3%) were infected with COVID-19, 165 (32.3%) had headache, 127 (24.9%) sore throat and 121 (23.7%) fatigue;167 (77.3%) required outpatient treatment and 3 (1.3%) intensive care. Obesity reported by 102 (20.0%) obstetricians was the main comorbidity, followed by hypertension with 38 (7.4%) and diabetes with 14 (2.7%);263 (51.5%) reported depressive symptoms and 464 (90.8%) stress;238 (46.6%) felt discrimination and 118 (23.1%) carried the workload of the home alone. Conclusions: The physical, psychological and social health of obstetricians is affected by the pandemic;generates disorders of overweight/obesity, depression, stress;as well as discrimination and work overload at home. © 2023, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.