Background COVID-19 has inundated the entire world disrupting the lives of millions of people. The pandemic has stressed the healthcare system of India impacting the psychological status and functioning of health care workers. The aim of this study is to determine the burnout levels and factors associated with the risk of psychological distress among healthcare workers (HCW) engaged in the management of COVID 19 in India. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 September 2020 to 30 November 2020 by telephonic interviews using a web-based Google form. Health facilities and community centres from 12 cities located in 10 states were selected for data collection. Data on socio-demographic and occupation-related variables like age, sex, type of family, income, type of occupation, hours of work and income were obtained was obtained from 967 participants, including doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, emergency response teams, lab personnel, and others directly involved in COVID 19 patient care. Levels of psychological distress was assessed by the General health Questionnaire -GHQ-5 and levels of burnout was assessed using the ICMR-NIOH Burnout questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with the risk of psychological distress. The third quartile values of the three subscales of burnout viz EE, DP and PA were used to identify burnout profiles of the healthcare workers. Results Overall, 52.9% of the participants had the risk of psychological distress that needed further evaluation. Risk of psychological distress was significantly associated with longer hours of work (≥ 8 hours a day) (AOR = 2.38, 95% CI(1.66–3.41), income≥20000(AOR = 1.74, 95% CI, (1.16–2.6); screening of COVID-19 patients (AOR = 1.63 95% CI (1.09–2.46), contact tracing (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI (1.1–3.81), High Emotional exhaustion score (EE ≥16) (AOR = 4.41 95% CI (3.14–6.28) and High Depersonalisation score (DP≥7) (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI (1.28–2.51)). About 4.7% of the HCWs were overextended (EE>18); 6.5% were disengaged (DP>8) and 9.7% HCWs were showing signs of burnout (high on all three dimensions). Conclusion The study has identified key factors that could have been likely triggers for psychological distress among healthcare workers who were engaged in management of COVID cases in India. The study also demonstrates the use of GHQ-5 and ICMR-NIOH Burnout questionnaire as important tools to identify persons at risk of psychological distress and occurrence of burnout symptoms respectively. The findings provide useful guide to planning interventions to mitigate mental health problems among HCW in future epidemic/pandemic scenarios in the country.

Objective: The objective of the study was to find out the sociodemographic profile and psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the key caregivers of COVID-19 patients. Methods: The psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic was measured using DASS-21 scale in a sample of 100 caregivers of corona-positive patients admitted in Guru Nanak Dev Hospital under Govt. Medical College. Results: In our study, majority of the family caregivers of corona-positive patients in the hospital setting were male (76%), belonged to 21–40 years age group (58%), wedded (64%), Sikh by religion (69%), employed (58%), and from rural region (56%). Caregivers showed extremely severe depression (30.58±6.521), extremely severe anxiety (29.34±7.130), and severe stress (29.14±5694). Participants with increasing age showed higher levels depression, anxiety, and stress scores but significant association was seen only with mean anxiety scores with increasing age (p<0.05). A significant association was seen between mean scores of stress and education status (p<0.05). A significant association was also seen between mean scores of anxiety and stress scores and nuptial status (p<0.05). No significant associations were seen between gender of caregivers, employment status, religion, family type, and mean depression, anxiety, and stress scores (p>0.05). Conclusion: The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of family caregivers of COVID-19 cases is significant.