Anxiety and Depression among Egyptian Working Physicians During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 has been declared as a pandemic that has compelled health systems to operate around the clock. The increased workload has developed psychiatric problems among frontline physicians where they reached burnout due to the high stress they face. Hence, their ability to work effectively decreased. Objectives: Assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression among working physicians during the pandemic, analyze their influencing factors, and evaluate their effect on the productivity of physicians` work. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among working physicians in Egypt inquiring about their socioeconomic status, anxiety, depression, expected influencing factors, and work productivity. The questionnaire was administered to 400 physicians in contact with the disease. Results: A total of 40% of the participating physicians suffered from anxiety and about 35% suffer from depression. Lack of support at work, fear of depletion of certain drugs and PPE during work in hospitals, having higher qualifications, increased workload, and being married were the most influencing factors for developing anxiety. Lack of support at work followed by increased workload, fear of PPE depletion, and working in hospitals were the most influencing factors for developing depression. A significant positive correlation was found between the impaired work productivity, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion: Anxiety and depression are prevalent among physicians during COVID-19 pandemic. Socioeconomic and work-related factors significantly affect the development of these diseases which evidently affect their work productivity.

Health care workers' perceptions of their hospitals’ preparedness during the COVID-19 virus pandemic in three different world regions

“… Yes 143 (63.3) 58 (63) 52 (39.4) 253 (56.2) 32.8 <0.0001 No 51 (22.6) 32 (34.8) 51 (38.6) 134 (29.7) Not sure 32 (14.1) 2 (2.2) 29 22 63 14 Is hospitals PPE Policy protection Sufficient? Yes 83 (36.7) 63 (68.5) 30 (22.7) 176 (39.1) 57.9 <0.0001 No 77 (34.1) 18 (19.5) 73 (55.3) 168 (37.3) Not sure 66 (29.2) 11 12 29 22 106 (23.5) Being a part of the COVID workgroup in their hospital Yes 92 (40.7) 65 (70.7) 59 (44.7) 216 (48) 37.06 <0.0001 No 125 (55.3) 23 25 56 (42.4) 204 (45.3) We don't have one 9 4 4 (4.3) 17 (12.9) 30 (6.6) ...…”

“…The first and second waves of the COVID pandemic carried so much panic, stress, and anxiety for healthcare providers. 24 , 25 …”