Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers in Paraguay: A descriptive and preliminary study
Med. clín. soc
; 4(3)dic. 2020.
Article
in En
|
LILACS-Express
| LILACS
| ID: biblio-1386204
Responsible library:
PY40.1
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Introduction:
Healthcare workers exposed to SARS-CoV-2 are vulnerable to psychological distress.Methodology:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 5 tertiary hospitals in the Central, San Pedro and Caaguazú Departments of Paraguay during the COVID-19 pandemic from April to June 2020. The pilot study included 125 healthcare workers as participants, 25 for each hospital. Demographic data and occupational exposure data were collected with an ad-hoc questionnaire. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were evaluated employing the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-7. The prevalence of post-traumatic stress was determined using the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Check List-C.Results:
Of the 125 participants, 68 (54.8%) were doctors, 37 (29.8) nurses, 7 (5.6%) biochemists, 3 (2.4%) obstetricians, and 9 (7.3%) other healthcare workers. Most participants were females (86 (68.8%)), with an average age of 33.8 years (SD ± 7.4), single (71 (56.8%)), with a postgraduate educational level (83 (66.4%)), and reporting a junior level of work experience (52 (41.6%)). A total of 71 (57.3%) were classified as high-risk healthcare workers after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. 61 (48.8%) of participants presented symptoms of depression, and 68 (54.4%) presented symptoms of anxiety. A small group reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress (9 (7.2%)).Conclusion:
Healthcare workers in Paraguay reported a significant prevalence of depressive and anxious symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings lend support to the idea that healthcare workers are vulnerable to psychological distress and that they may require specific mental health interventions.RESUMEN
RESUMEN Introducción:
los trabajadores de la salud expuestos al SARS-CoV-2 son vulnerables a la angustia psicológica.Metodología:
se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en 5 hospitales de tercer nivel de los Departamentos Central, San Pedro y Caaguazú de Paraguay durante la pandemia de COVID-19, de abril a junio de 2020. El estudio piloto incluyó a 125 trabajadores de la salud, 25 de cada hospital. Los datos demográficos y sobre la exposición ocupacional se recopilaron con un cuestionario ad-hoc. Los síntomas de depresión y ansiedad se evaluaron empleando la escala Patient Health Questionnaire-9 y la escala Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-7. La prevalencia de estrés postraumático fue determinada usando la escala Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Check List-C.Resultados:
de los 125 participantes, 68 (54,8%) eran médicos, 37 (29,8) enfermeros, 7 (5,6%) bioquímicos, 3 (2,4%) obstetras y 9 (7,3%) otros trabajadores de la salud. La mayoría de los participantes eran mujeres (86 (68,8%)), con una edad media de 33,8 años (DE ± 7,4), solteros (71 (56,8%)), con un nivel de estudios de posgrado (83 (66,4%)), y reportaban un nivel junior de experiencia laboral (52 (41,6%)). Un total de 71 (57,3%) fueron clasificados como trabajadores de la salud de alto riesgo después de la exposición al SARS-CoV-2. 61 (48,8%) de los participantes presentaron síntomas de depresión y 68 (54,4%) presentaron síntomas de ansiedad.Conclusión:
los trabajadores de la salud en Paraguay reportaron una prevalencia significativa de síntomas depresivos y ansiosos durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Estos hallazgos apoyan la idea de que los trabajadores de la salud son vulnerables a la angustia psicológica y que pueden requerir intervenciones específicas de salud mental.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
LILACS
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Country/Region as subject:
America do sul
/
Paraguay
Language:
En
Journal:
Med. clín. soc
Journal subject:
Cincias da Sa£de
/
Medicina
Year:
2020
Document type:
Article
Country of publication:
Paraguay