A survey of mental health status of obstetric nurses during the novel coronavirus pneumonia pandemic

Abstract

To investigate the mental health status of obstetric nurses and its influencing factors during the novel coronavirus epidemic period, so as to provide theoretical reference for hospital decision-makers and managers. From February 25 to March 20, 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional survey through online questionnaire, and selected obstetric nurses from Jilin and Heilongjiang Provinces as the research objects by convenience sampling. Three hundred eighteen valid questionnaires were collected; the results of Symptom Checklist 90 showed that the scores of “obsessive-compulsive”, “depression”, “anxiety”, “hostility”, “phobia”, and “psychosis” were higher than the Chinese norm ( P < .01). There were 107 people whose total score of Symptom Checklist 90 was more than 160, and 83 people whose number of positive items was more than 43. Logistic regression results showed that married, temporary employment, lack of support and communication from family and relatives, onerous task, and unbearable responsibility were independent risk factors for mental disorder. There is a great psychological burden for obstetric nurses during the epidemic period. Decision makers should focus on necessary psychological intervention for those that are married, temporarily employed, and those lacking family supports including communication. At the same time, managers should distribute tasks reasonably to avoid psychological burdens caused by overwork.

Estratégias de prevenção e promoção em saúde mental para enfermagem diante da pandemia da covid-19

“…De acordo com esses estudos, é imprescindível que as instituições de saúde disponham de profissionais abertos à escuta ativa quando os profissionais de saúde solicitarem ajuda, buscando acolhê-los a fim de responder às suas necessidades com excelência, seja de forma presencial ou remota. Para tal, é preciso fornecer apoio psicossocial e psicológico em espaços apropriados, nos quais os profissionais possam expressar seus sentimentos, o que favorece sua resiliência mental para a atuação com qualidade em tempos de crise na saúde (3,10,12,14,17,19,(22)(23)(25)(26)28,(31)(32)36,38,52,56) .…”

“…Segundo as publicações consultadas, o suporte institucional também corrobora para a prevenção de transtornos mentais e a promoção da saúde mental entre os profissionais de saúde durante a pandemia da covid-19 mediante distintas ações, como: informações claras e atualizadas, transporte, acomodação, educação, treinamento, infraestrutura, equipamentos e insumos e organização do trabalho; além da importância de conselhos confiáveis sobre o gerenciamento do estresse entre os profissionais, estratégias para ampliar a atuação do enfermeiro de maneira qualificada e protegida, compensações com o aumento nas gratificações e adicionais por turno em áreas de maior risco, quando possível, bem como a garantia de disponibilidade de rastreamento e testes rápidos para todos os trabalhadores, quando solicitado (12,17,(22)(23)41,44,(49)(50)(51)53,(56)(57).…”

Nature: A Post-Pandemic Prescription

“…6 As frontline workers, nurses bear astonishing pressure due to physical exhaustion, increased workload, inadequate personal protective equipment, intrahospital transmission, and moral distress. 7 As a result, nurses are susceptible to depression, anxiety, emotional distress, fear, insomnia, burnout, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 8 Given the high likelihood that sarbecoviruses will arise again, it is imperative that nurse leaders learn from this pandemic and implement strategies that support our current at-risk workforce while maintaining force readiness for the future.…”

“… 8 A high-risk environment was defined as “being in direct contact with infected patients, either providing care or being responsible for cleaning and disinfection.” 8 Multiple studies found that nurses were at increased risk of developing PTSD. 7 , 10 Other risk factors for PTSD include job stress, less job experience, younger age, and isolation. 8 …”

“…8 Multiple studies found that nurses were at increased risk of developing PTSD. 7,10 Other risk factors for PTSD include job stress, less job experience, younger age, and isolation. 8 Post-traumatic stress disorder, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 11 is characterized by the following criteria:…”