1. Mental health of frontline healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 in Egypt: A call for action.
- Author
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Elkholy H, Tawfik F, Ibrahim I, Salah El-Din W, Sabry M, Mohammed S, Hamza M, Alaa M, Fawzy AZ, Ashmawy R, Sayed M, and Omar AN
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety epidemiology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression epidemiology, Egypt epidemiology, Female, Humans, Male, Patient Safety, SARS-CoV-2, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders epidemiology, Stress, Psychological epidemiology, Young Adult, COVID-19 epidemiology, COVID-19 psychology, Health Personnel psychology, Health Personnel statistics & numerical data, Mental Health statistics & numerical data
- Abstract
Background: World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic in March 2020. Such widespread outbreaks are associated with adverse mental health consequences., Aims: To evaluate mental health outcomes among Egyptian healthcare workers (HCW) treating patients with confirmed or suspected Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to direct the promotion of mental wellbeing, by screening for symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, depression and stress, and analyzing potential risk factors., Methods: This cross-sectional, hospital-based survey study collected demographic data and mental health measurements from 502 HCW dealing with COVID-19. HCW were surveyed in 20 hospitals (Fever, Chest, and Quarantine hospitals) in different parts of Egypt, in April and May 2020., Results: Among the 502 HCW surveyed; 60.0% were physicians, 16.1% were specialized nurses, and 23.9% were non-specialized nurses. About 35.3% worked in chest hospitals, 17.5% in fever hospitals, and 47.2% in quarantine hospitals. A considerable proportion of HCW had symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, depression, and stress. Females were at higher risk of experiencing symptoms of severe anxiety (odds ratio [OR], 1.85; 95% CI, 1.12-3.05; p = .016), severe depression (OR, 2.013; 95% CI, 1.17-3.4; p = .011), and severe stress (OR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.5-4.6; p < .001). Fever hospital workers were at higher risk of severe depression (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.11-2.09; p < .01), compared to Quarantine hospital workers., Conclusion: Ensuring proper mental health support for HCW is an important component of public health measures for addressing the COVID-19 epidemic and safeguarding the continuity of appropriate medical service.
- Published
- 2021
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