Gender Differences in Self-Reported Stress and Health Behaviors of Doctors in Kazakhstan During COVID-19

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of COVID-19 on self-reported stress and anxiety and on adverse health behaviors of doctors in Kazakhstan, focusing on gender and family. Addressing the mental health of doctors is vital for both the short-and long-term health of doctors, patients, and the healthcare industry. Comparing survey responses from 2018 to 2020, results find marriage to have a protective effect on men doctors. Unmarried men are more likely to experience stress, anxiety, and engage in poor eating habits during COVID-19 compared to married men. Conversely, unmarried women doctors are less likely to experience stress and anxiety during COVID-19 compared to married women with children; while marriage reduces the likelihood of women doctors engaging in poor eating habits during the pandemic, it increases their likelihood of smoking. The results suggest that policies to enhance the wellbeing of doctors during the pandemic should consider both occupational and household stresses. KEYWORDS COVID-19, stress and anxiety, Kazakhstan, adverse health behaviors, gender, physician well-being JEL Codes: J08, I12, I31 HIGHLIGHTS • Pandemic-related stress levels of doctors in Kazakhstan differ by gender and family structure. • Marriage and children have a protective effect on the mental health of men doctors. • Married women doctors with children report greater stress, highlighting the burdens of professional mothers. • Addressing mental health concerns requires consideration of occupational and household stresses.

The COVID-19 pandemic and mental health in Kazakhstan

“…These restrictions likely led to changes in health behaviors, such as physical activity, smoking and alcohol use, interpersonal relationships, such as family dynamics, and structural factors, such as income and employment and health care access, as well as increased depression and anxiety. Although there have been studies targeting specific groups and mental health in relation to or during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kazakhstan (Bolatov et al, 2020;Bazarkulova and Compton, 2021;Crape et al, 2021;Kamkhen et al, 2022;Konstantinov et al, 2022), little is known about which specific COVID-19-related factors were associated with mental health among the general Kazakhstani population. To address this gap, we sought to examine the multilevel COVID-19 related factors associated with mental health in order to inform the country's future programmatic and policy response to this public health crisis.…”

Experiences of Kyrgyzstani Frontline Healthcare Workers during the “Black July” of 2020: a Qualitative Study

“…Another was with respect to their own values and perspectives, as evidenced by greater appreciation for their intimates, and taking more time for self-care. Although the breadth and article demonstrates that occupational and household stressors are reported differently by males and females.Another study conducted with a sample of 466 students in the Kostanay region of Kazakhstan showed that levels of anxiety had not significantly risen since the beginning of the pandemic; female students experienced stronger fear; and there was no growth in substance use among Kazakh students[21]. The literature on the Kyrgyz population is even less readily available.…”