Anxiety, Depression and Functional Impairment among Health Care Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Crosssectional Online Survey

Abstract

Background COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. The number of cases and dramatic loss of human life worldwide created psychological problems among general public, including health care workers.
 Objective To determine the burden of anxiety, depression, and functional impairment among health care workers in the early days of lockdown during the first wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal.
 Method A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out among all the employees of Hospital for Children Eye ENT and Rehabilitation Services, Bhaktapur during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown from April 3, 2020 to May 2, 2020 using an online questionnaire. The tools used were adopted from Nepali version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) and Nepali version of WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0).
 Result The mean age (SD) of the participants (n=86) was 32.53 (7.92) years. Male and female participants were equal in number. The point prevalence of anxiety and depression was 25.6% and 14.0%, respectively. Females had a higher prevalence of both anxiety (39.5% vs 11.6%, p < 0.01) and depression (18.6% vs 9.3%, p=0.351). Clinical and nonclinical staff both had a higher prevalence of both anxiety (31.0% and 20.5%, p=0.265) and depression (16.7% and 11.4%, p=0.478). The mean functional impairment score (WHODAS 2.0) among all participants and participants with anxiety and depression was 19.47 (95% CI: 18.13-20.80), 21.27 (95% CI: 18.08-24.46), and 19.92 (95% CI: 15.28- 24.56), respectively.
 Conclusion Anxiety and depression during the first lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic were highly prevalent in clinical and non-clinical employees. Besides controlling the outbreak, special consideration should be given to mental health.

Characterizing the mental health and functioning of Canadian respiratory therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Heightened endorsement moral distress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD were significantly associated with a higher level of functional impairment among RTs in the present study. The present findings are consistent with an investigation of hospital-based HCPs in Nepal, where depression and anxiety scores correlated positively with functional impairment (Shrestha et al, 2021 ) along with reports of an association between negative psychological impacts and insomnia among HCPs during the pandemic (Lai et al, 2020 ; Pappa et al, 2020 ). Overall, the present characterization of psychological and functional profiles among Canadian RTs appear consistent with reports from other HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Examining the health and functioning status of medical laboratory professionals in Ontario, Canada: an exploratory study during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Another study examining anxiety, depression and functioning in healthcare workers (clinical and non-clinical employees) reported that the mean of their total functioning scores was 19.47, which falls closer to the 92.4th percentile. 37 This study indicates similar levels of disability/functioning as our current sample.…”

“…A study by Shrestha et al 37 had similar findings for their overall WHODAS V.2.0 functioning score. They found that anxiety and depression in healthcare workers led to a low impairment in functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic 37…”

“…58 However, our current study found that participants who reported a low frequency of feeling stressed experienced higher levels of disability/low functioning when participating in society. A study by Shrestha et al 37 had similar findings for their overall WHODAS V.2.0 functioning score. They found that anxiety and depression Open access in healthcare workers led to a low impairment in functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…They found that anxiety and depression in healthcare workers led to a low impairment in functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic. 37 …”