Comparative study of the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care professionals in India

Mental health status and related factors influencing healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The mental health of healthcare workers during the coronavirus-2019 pandemic was seriously affected, and the risk of mental health problems was high. The present study sought to systematically evaluate the mental health problems of healthcare workers worldwide during the pandemic and to determine the latest global frequency of COVID-19 associated mental health problems.

METHODS

Data in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE, Elsevier, MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO and the Web of Science before November 11, 2022, were systematically searched. Cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies were included. The meta-analysis used a random effects model to synthesize the comprehensive prevalence rate of mental health problems. Subgroup analyses were performed based on time of data collection; whether the country was or was not developed; continent; doctors and nurses; doctors/nurses vs. other healthcare workers; and psychological evaluation scale.

RESULTS

A total of 161 studies were included, including 341,014 healthcare workers worldwide, with women accounting for 82.8%. Occupationally, 16.2% of the healthcare workers were doctors, 63.6% were nurses and 13.3% were other medical staff. During the pandemic, 47% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35-60%) of healthcare workers reported job burnout, 38% (95% CI, 35-41%) experienced anxiety, 34% (95% CI 30-38%) reported depression, 30% (95% CI, 29-31%) had acute stress disorder, and 26% (95% CI, 21-31%) had post-traumatic stress disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

The study found that there were common mental health problems among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most common was job burnout, followed by anxiety, depression, acute stress and post-traumatic stress disorder. Although the global pandemic has been brought under control, its long-term impact on the mental health of healthcare workers cannot be ignored. Additional research is required to develop measures to prevent, monitor and treat psychological disorders among healthcare workers.

Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health Among Healthcare Workers in India: A Mixed-methods Systematic Review

Healthcare workers (HCWs) experienced significant mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review aimed to comprehensively assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of HCWs in India. We conducted a mixed-methods systematic review, which adopts a results-based convergent approach that incorporates quantitative and qualitative data. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in relevant databases: PubMed-Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, and ProQuest. All available full-text studies in the English language that assessed the mental health outcomes (anxiety, stress, and depression) of HCWs during the pandemic and published until 28 February 2022 were included. A total of 31 studies were included in this review (27 quantitative studies, three qualitative studies, and one mixed-method study). The pooled prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among HCWs in India was 32.96%, 29.49%, and 33.47%, respectively. Integration of quantitative and qualitative findings using social determinants of health framework resulted in various contributing factors and coping strategies. There is a need for a supportive work environment, mental health support, and mental health policies for HCWs in India.

Assessment of Anxiety, Depression, Work-Related Stress, and Burnout in Health Care Workers (HCWs) Affected by COVID-19: Results of a Case–Control Study in Italy

This study aims to investigate whether HCWs infected with COVID-19 may experience potential psychological consequences and a higher incidence of depression, anxiety, work-related stress, and burnout compared to non-infected HCWs. A case–control study with 774 participants was conducted comparing COVID-19-infected HCWs (cases) and non-infected HCWs (controls) from the Occupational Medicine Unit at the Teaching Hospital Policlinico Umberto I, who were administered the same questionnaire including Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and Karasek’s Job Content Questionnaire. No differences in the levels of burnout and decision latitude were found between the two groups. Cases showed higher level of anxiety and job demand compared to controls. In contrast, levels of depression in the case group were significantly lower compared to the control group. The results are indicating the need for workplace health promotion activities based on stress and burnout management and prevention. Multiple organizational and work-related interventions can lower the impact of mental health-related issues in the COVID-19 pandemics, including the improvement of workplace infrastructures, as well as the adoption of correct and shared anti-contagion measures, which must include regular personal protective equipment supply, and the adoption of training programs that deal with mental health-related issues.

[Prevalence of sleep disturbance in intensive care nurses: a post hoc analysis of a cross-sectional study]

Background

Intensive care nurses have irregular and unusual working hours due to shift work, which can disrupt the natural light-dark rhythm and thus increase the risk for sleep disorders.

Aim of the work

The aim of this post hoc analysis was to investigate the prevalence of self-reported sleep problems and associated factors among intensive care nurses working in Germany.

Methods

This analysis was a post hoc analysis of a cross-sectional study, which was performed as an online survey. Collected data were sociodemographic, work-related and health-related data. These data were used to calculate the prevalence and respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of sleep problems. Factors associated with sleep problems were identified using the χ2-test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression analysis.

Results

The link to the online survey was accessed 1163 times and 490 intensive care nurses participated in the survey. A total of 432 intensive care nurses were included in this analysis, of whom 82.87% were women. A total of 57.64% (95% CI: 52.83-62.35%) reported sleep problems. Significantly associated with sleep problems were age (50-59 years odds ratio [OR]: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.00-4.21, p = 0.047 vs. 20-29 years) and living in a family (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.27-0.93, p = 0.029 vs. single/living alone). In addition, depression (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.06-1.12, p ≤ 0.001), anxiety (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.06-1.14, p ≤ 0.001) and stress (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.06-1.12, p ≤ 0.001) levels were significantly associated with sleep problems.

Conclusion

Sleep problems were present in one out of every two participating intensive care nurses and in particular mental health was associated with sleep problems.