scholarly journals Differences between health workers and general population in risk perception, behaviors, and psychological distress related to COVID-19 spread in Italy.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Simione ◽  
Camilla Gnagnarella
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
General Population ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
South Italy ◽  
Living Area

In this study, we investigated the perception of risk and the worries about COVID-19 infection in both healthcare workers and general population in Italy. We studied the difference in risk perception in these two groups, and how this related to demographic variables and psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, and death anxiety. To this aim, we administered an online questionnaire about COVID-19 together with other questionnaires assessing the psychological condition of participants. First, we found that the exposition to infection risk, due to living area or job, increased the perceived stress and anxiety (i.e. medical staff in North Italy was more stressed and anxious respect to both medical- and non-medical participants from Center and South Italy). Then, we conducted hierarchical logistic regression models on our data to assess the response odds ratio relatively to each predictor on each dependent variable. We found that health workers reported higher risk perception, level of worry, and knowledge as related to COVID-19 infection compared to general population. Also psychological state, gender, and living area were important predictors of these factors. Instead, judgments about behaviors and containment rules were more linked to demographics, such as gender and alcohol consumption. We discussed these results in the light of risk factors for psychological distress and possible interventions to meet the psychological needs of healthcare workers.

scholarly journals Differences Between Health Workers and General Population in Risk Perception, Behaviors, and Psychological Distress Related to COVID-19 Spread in Italy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Simione ◽  
Camilla Gnagnarella
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
General Population ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
South Italy ◽  
Living Area

In this study, we investigated the perception of risk and the worries about COVID-19 infection in both healthcare workers and general population in Italy. We studied the difference in risk perception in these two groups, and how this related to demographic variables and psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, and death anxiety. To this aim, we administered an online questionnaire about COVID-19 together with other questionnaires assessing the psychological condition of participants. First, we found that the exposition to infection risk, due to living area or job, increased the perceived stress and anxiety (i.e. medical staff in North Italy was more stressed and anxious respect to both medical- and non-medical participants from Center and South Italy). Then, we conducted hierarchical logistic regression models on our data to assess the response odds ratio relatively to each predictor on each dependent variable. We found that health workers reported higher risk perception, level of worry, and knowledge as related to COVID-19 infection compared to general population. Also psychological state, gender, and living area were important predictors of these factors. Instead, judgments about behaviors and containment rules were more linked to demographics, such as gender and alcohol consumption. We discussed these results in the light of risk factors for psychological distress and possible interventions to meet the psychological needs of healthcare workers.

scholarly journals Risk perception and psychological state of healthcare workers in referral hospitals during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Migisha ◽  
Alex Riolexus Ario ◽  
Benon Kwesiga ◽  
Lilian Bulage ◽  
Daniel Kadobera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Referral Hospitals

Abstract Background Safeguarding the psychological well-being of healthcare workers (HCWs) is crucial to ensuring sustainability and quality of healthcare services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HCWs may be subject to excessive mental stress. We assessed the risk perception and immediate psychological state of HCWs early in the pandemic in referral hospitals involved in the management of COVID-19 patients in Uganda. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in five referral hospitals from April 20–May 22, 2020. During this time, we distributed paper-based, self-administered questionnaires to all consenting HCWs on day shifts. The questionnaire included questions on socio-demographics, occupational behaviors, potential perceived risks, and psychological distress. We assessed risk perception towards COVID-19 using 27 concern statements with a four-point Likert scale. We defined psychological distress as a total score > 12 from the 12-item Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). We used modified Poisson regression to identify factors associated with psychological distress. Results Among 335 HCWs who received questionnaires, 328 (98%) responded. Respondents’ mean age was 36 (range 18–59) years; 172 (52%) were male. The median duration of professional experience was eight (range 1–35) years; 208 (63%) worked more than 40 h per week; 116 (35%) were nurses, 52 (14%) doctors, 30 (9%) clinical officers, and 86 (26%) support staff. One hundred and forty-four (44%) had a GHQ-12 score > 12. The most common concerns reported included fear of infection at the workplace (81%), stigma from colleagues (79%), lack of workplace support (63%), and inadequate availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) (56%). In multivariable analysis, moderate (adjusted prevalence ratio, [aPR] = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–4.0) and high (aPR = 3.8, 95% CI 2.0–7.0) risk perception towards COVID-19 (compared with low-risk perception) were associated with psychological distress. Conclusions Forty-four percent of HCWs surveyed in hospitals treating COVID-19 patients during the early COVID-19 epidemic in Uganda reported psychological distress related to fear of infection, stigma, and inadequate PPE. Higher perceived personal risk towards COVID-19 was associated with increased psychological distress. To optimize patient care during the pandemic and future outbreaks, workplace management may consider identifying and addressing HCW concerns, ensuring sufficient PPE and training, and reducing infection-associated stigma.

scholarly journals Psychological impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak on healthcare workers in China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhong Dai ◽  
Guangyuan Hu ◽  
Huihua Xiong ◽  
Hong Qiu ◽  
Xianglin Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Protective Measures

AbstractIntroductionSince the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), more than 3000 (including clinical diagnosis) healthcare workers (HCWs) have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in China. This study is aimed to investigate the risk perception and immediate psychological state of HCWs in the early stage of the COVID-19 epidemic.MethodsThis study utilized a cross-sectional survey designed on a convenient sample of 4357 HCWs in China. Its data were collected using anonymous structured questionnaires distributed through social software. 6 questions were set to evaluate the participants’ risk perception of COVID-19, and a General Health Questionnaire was used to identify the participants’ immediate psychological status. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Risk perception and psychological status were compared by demographic characteristics and COVID-19 exposure experiences.ResultA total of 4,600 questionnaires were distributed, and 4,357 qualified ones (94.7%) were collected. The main concerns of HCWs are: infection of colleagues (72.5%), infection of family members (63.9%), protective measures (52.3%) and medical violence (48.5%). And 39.1% of the HCWs had psychological distress, especially working in Wuhan, participating in frontline treatments, having been isolated and having family members or colleagues infected.ConclusionsThe finding indicating that, faced with the COVID-19 epidemic, HCWs, especially in Wuhan, were worried about the risks of infection and protective measures, resulting in psychological distress, so further actions should be taken.

scholarly journals The psychological impact of COVID-19 on ‘hidden’ frontline healthcare workers

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402095077 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winnie Z.Y. Teo ◽  
Yap Eng Soo ◽  
Christina Yip ◽  
Ong Lizhen ◽  
Lee Chun-Tsu
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Numeric Rating Scale ◽  
Depression Score ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to rising death tolls and stressed healthcare systems, resulting in an unprecedented psychological stress on healthcare workers worldwide. However, the majority of studies only accounted for frontline healthcare workers with direct patient exposure. Aim: This study aims to look at the psychological impact of COVID-19 in a specific, vulnerable and yet hidden group of healthcare workers, namely laboratory healthcare workers who are at high risk exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus from handling infected patients’ blood samples, in addition to a marked increase in workload. Method: A multicentre study was conducted in Singapore via online questionnaire looking at psychological and physical impact of COVID-19 on laboratory healthcare workers. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Numeric rating scale on fear (NRS) were validated scores used in this study. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software version 23 (IBM Corp). Results: A total of 122 staffs participated and more than half of the cohort experienced mild to severe fear, anxiety and depression. Increase in depression score was also found to be associated with increased physical exhaustion (OR = 6.1, 95% CI 1.4–29.1, p = .02), loss of appetite (OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.2–6.0, p = .02), poor sleep quality (OR = 7.5, 95% CI 2.9–19.4, p = .005), and the use of sedative (OR = 3.9, 95% CI 1.1–13.5, p = .03). Conclusions: Hence, it is imperative that prompt action needs to be taken to address the psychological needs of this vulnerable group of healthcare workers as the pandemic continues.

scholarly journals Stigmatisation associated with COVID-19 in the general Colombian population

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402097244
Author(s):  
Carlos Arturo Cassiani-Miranda ◽  
Adalberto Campo-Arias ◽  
Andrés Felipe Tirado-Otálvaro ◽  
Luz Adriana Botero-Tobón ◽  
Luz Dary Upegui-Arango ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Additional Problem ◽  
The Difference ◽  
High Level

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, the fear of infection increases and, with it, the stigma-discrimination, which makes it an additional problem of the epidemic. However, studies about stigma associated with coronavirus are scarce worldwide. Aims: To determine the association between stigmatisation and fear of COVID-19 in the general population of Colombia. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 1,687 adults between 18 and 76 years old ( M = 36.3; SD = 12.5), 41.1% health workers, filled out an online questionnaire on Stigma-Discrimination and the COVID-5 Fear Scale, adapted by the research team. Results: The proportion of high fear of COVID-19 was 34.1%; When comparing the affirmative answers to the questionnaire on stigma-discrimination towards COVID-19, it was found that the difference was significantly higher in the general population compared to health workers in most of the questions evaluated, which indicates a high level of stigmatisation in that group. An association between high fear of COVID-19 and stigma was evidenced in 63.6% of the questions in the questionnaire. Conclusion: Stigma-discrimination towards COVID-19 is frequent in the Colombian population and is associated with high levels of fear towards said disease, mainly people who are not health workers.

scholarly journals Mask-associated de novo headache in healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose M Ramirez-Moreno ◽  
David Ceberino ◽  
Alberto Gonzalez ◽  
Belen Rebollo ◽  
Pablo Macias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to changes in the development of health care activities by health professionals. We analysed whether there is an association between the appearance of de novo headache according to the type of mask used, the related factors, as well as the impact of the headache on health professionals. Method: cross-sectional study in a tertiary hospital in Extremadura, Spain. We administered an online questionnaire to healthcare workers during the period of maximum incidence of COVID-19 in our setting. Results: n=306, 244 women (79.7%), with an average age of 43 years (range 23-65). Of the total, 129 (42.2%) were physicians, 112 (36.6%) nurses and 65 (21.2%) other health workers. 208 (79.7%) used surgical masks and 53 (20.3%) used filtering masks. Of all those surveyed, 158 (51.6%) presented de novo headache. The occurrence of headache was independently associated with the use of a filtering mask, OR 2.14 (IC95% 1.07-4.32), being a nurse OR 2.09 (IC95% 1.18-3.72) or another health worker OR 6.94 (IC95% 3.01-16.04) or having a history of asthma OR 0.29 (IC95% 0.09-0.89). Depending on the type of mask used there were differences in headache intensity. And the impact of headache in the subjects who used a filtering mask was worse in the all aspects evaluated. Conclusions: The appearance of de novo headache is associated with the use of filtering masks and is more frequent in certain health care workers, causing a greater occupational, family, personal and social impact.

scholarly journals Knowledge of, risk perception towards and reported preventive practices against Lassa fever among health workers in Ondo State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-160
Author(s):  
Akinola A Fatiregun ◽  
Elvis E Isere ◽  
Opeyemi Agunbiade ◽  
Modupeola Dosumu ◽  
Rosemary Onyibe
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Infection Control Policy ◽  
Hospital Infection Control ◽  
Ondo State

Background: Secondary transmission of Lassa fever has been recorded annually among healthcare workers who provided care. An outbreak of the disease in Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria in 2018, recorded high morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, risk perception, and preventive practices towards Lassa fever among healthcare workers.    Methods: A health facility-based descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted involving senior members of staff randomly selected from the list of staff members. A structured pre-tested questionnaire was administered to 554 consenting respondents in 304 health facilities. Results: More than half of the respondents (317, 57.2%) are health workers in primary healthcare cadres. Although 444 (80.1%) knew the case definition for reporting, only 379 (68.4%) correctly indicated the reporting channel. Concerning risk perception, 174 (31.4%) rated their risk of contracting the disease in the workplace as high, and 309 (55.8%) indicated that hospitals' infection control policy is inadequate. Furthermore, only 76 (13.7%) of the respondents reported having modified their working habits for fear of being infected with Lassa fever three months before the study with 368 (66.4%) and 474 (85.6%) reported that they always use aprons and gloves respectively during treatment of patients. Conclusion: There is a need to strengthen the hospital infection control policy and train healthcare workers on reporting suspected cases.

scholarly journals AB0910-HPR LEVELS OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: AT WHAT DEGREE ARE HEALTH CARE WORKERS AFFECTED IN TUNISIA?

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1477.2-1477
Author(s):  
K. Ben Abdelghani ◽  
O. Hamdi ◽  
S. Miladi ◽  
M. Sellami ◽  
K. Ouenniche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Psychological Support ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Mean

Background:Since December 2019, a novel pneumonia caused by coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) has been spreading internationally. Facing this critical pandemic, health care workers who are involved in treating these patients are at risk of developing psychological distress.Objectives:To evaluate mental health outcomes among health care workers treating patients exposed to COVID-19.Methods:This cross-sectional study collected demographic data and mental health measurements from health workers in different hospitals using an online questionnaire. Participants were divided in two groups: G1 included participants working in a COVID-19 unit and G2 included those who worked in a normal ward. Participants were asked to complete the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7). The total scores of these measurement tools were interpreted as follows: PHQ-9 normal (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10-14) and severe (15-21) depression; GAD-7 normal (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10-14) and severe (15-21) anxiety. We compared the two groups in terms of psychological distress using a Chi-square test.Results:A total of 155 individuals with a mean age of 31.3 ± 25 years [26-45] and a sex-ratio of 0.3 completed the online questionnaire. Seventy-two participants (46%) worked in a COVID-unit. The mean number of nightshifts per month in the COVID-unit was 9.5 in G1 and 1.3 in G2 respectively. The mean number of work hours per day in the COVID unit was 5 hours in G1, and 0 in G2. G2 participants worked in COVID-units during nightshifts only. An increase in workload compared to the pre-epidemic was noted only in G1. Depression and anxiety scores were higher among participants of G1 compared to G2 (Table 1).Table 1.Comparison of the participants according to the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores:ScoreG1G2pMild depression33%12%0.001Moderate depression14%9%0.000Severe depression7%0.9%0.002Mild anxiety29%17%0.005Moderate anxiety18%7.3%0.002Severe anxiety8.4%2.1%0.001G: GroupThe need for psychological support was more frequent in G1 compared to G2 (38% vs 9%; p=0.005). Participants of G1 were diagnosed with depression (9 cases), anxiety (9 cases) and burn-out (3 cases). In G2, 4 participants were diagnosed with anxiety. The prescribed treatments were: antidepressants (5 cases), anxiolytic (10 cases), and psychotherapy (12 cases).Conclusion:Individuals experience varying levels of distress during pandemics. In our study, health care workers in the frontline of COVID-units experienced high levels of anxiety and depression. Thus, necessary measures should be attached to psychological support strategies for health care workers.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Risk Perception of the Iranian Healthcare Workers Concerning the Covid-19 Crisis and the Factors Affecting it: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ezat Samadipour ◽  
Fatemeh Ghardashi ◽  
Roghayeh Zardosht ◽  
Fatemeh Borzoee ◽  
Elham Navipour
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Online Social Networks ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Average Risk ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perception Score

Abstract Background: The emergent Covid-19 disease with conspicuous prevalence is putting the healthcare workers' job security at risk. The preventive behaviors in every individual have a close relationship with his/her risk perception of the risk factor. Hence the present study has been undertaken aiming at determining the Iranian healthcare workers' risk perception of the Covid-19 disease and the relevant effective factors. Methods: This anonymous online survey was conducted in March-April, 2020 using targeted snowball sampling among the Iranian healthcare workers. The data was collected via online-social networks using a questionnaire containing demographical specifications (5 questions), risk perceptions (20 questions), with five sub-scales including cognitive, cultural, political, social and emotional factors. Data analysis was performed using SPSS v.16 software.Results: From 165 participants, the youth (20-49 years of age) with 84% and the females with 60% constituted the majority of participants. The average risk perception score of the healthcare workers was 66.43±8.17. The Spearman correlation coefficient showed the significant direct relationship between the risk perception score and all the sub-scales at 0.01 significance level. The political and cultural factors had the highest correlation with the personnel risk perception (r > 0.75).Conclusion: Health workers did not have an excellent risk perception of the emergent Covid-19 disease.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document