Depression and Insomnia of Front-Line Medical Staff During the COVID-19 Outbreak in China: An On-Line Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

PurposeDuring the COVID-19 outbreak, medical staff working in high-risk workplaces had a higher rate of epidemic infection. They also faced heavy workloads and pressure, which means they are more likely to suffer from psychological problems than others. To understand the mental health of medical staff during the epidemic, we explore the characteristics of medical staff susceptible to negative psychological emotions during the outbreak of public safety and health events. At the same time, we provide corresponding prevention and intervention measures to help them relieve negative emotions, this study compared the psychological symptoms of front-line and non-front-line medical staff, then explored its influencing factors.MethodsThis research investigated 5,924 medical staff in Guangdong, Beijing, Hubei, Hainan, Jiangxi, and Henan in China. The questionnaires were released online by Questionnaire Star, and levels of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and social support were measured by Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS).ResultsThe depressive, anxious, and insomniac scores of front-line medical staff during the COVID-19 epidemic period were higher than those of non-front-line with significant differences (P < 0.001). In addition, front-line nurses went through the most serious psychological problems. Age, education, and anxiety level were the influencing factors of depression and insomnia in front-line medical staff. Among them, age was a protective factor for depression (OR = 0.71 <1, P = 0.001 <0.05, Beta = −0.34), while educational level was a risk factor for insomnia (OR = 1.27, P = 0.02 <0.05, Beta = 0.24).ConclusionsDuring the epidemic, front-line medical staff would experience more serious psychological problems, especially those who were younger, less experienced, and insufficiently educated. Attention should be paid to giving them psychological assistance and psychological interventions in the future.

A survey of health status of healthcare providers in a square cabin hospital during the new corona omicron outbreak: A cross-sectional study

“…In China, the incidences of anxiety, depression, and insomnia among the frontline healthcare providers who were long-term working in square cabin hospitals ranged from 25% to 58%, 29% to 54%, and 34% to 36%, respectively. These mental health problems are much more serious than non-frontline healthcare workers (Zhang et al, 2022). Studies have shown progressively higher anxiety levels in frontline healthcare workers over time, with heavy nursing tasks, risk of infection, and isolation as common risk factors (Luo et al, 2020).…”

COVID-19–Related Insomnia Populations Research and Management Strategies: A Review

“…Zhang et al 61 pointed out that compared with nonmedical workers, medical workers, especially those with organic diseases, had a higher prevalence of COVIDRI, anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive symptoms during the pandemic in China. Zhang et al 62 surveyed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical workers in tertiary hospitals in China and showed that 53.37% of healthcare workers suffered from COVIDRI symptoms. Compared with those who had received higher education, healthcare workers with lower educational backgrounds had higher levels of COVIDRI.…”