Generalized anxiety and sleep quality among health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study from a tertiary healthcare institution in Eastern India

Abstract

Objectives: With the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare professionals (HCPs) have experienced high levels of stress and anxiety because of the high risk of infection for themselves and their families. This has led to acute sleep problems for HCP. This study was designed to assess the anxiety and sleep quality of HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 370 HCPs employed at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Patna over 3 months, using the standard Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) for suspected GAD and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for sleep quality. Results were tabulated and multivariable binomial logistic regression analysis was done to determine the predictors of poor sleep. Significance was attributed to p < 0.05. Results: Of the 370 HCPs screened, 52 (14.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.8%-18.1%) were found to have GAD and 195 (52.7%; 95% CI, 47.5%-57.9%) were found to be poor sleepers. The presence of any addictive habit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.833; 95% CI, 1.12-2.8), unprotected contact with COVID-19 cases (AOR, 1.902; 95% CI, 1.1-3.3), and the presence of GAD (AOR, 5.57; 95% CI, 2.5-12.4) were found to be predictors of poor sleep quality among HCPs. Conclusion: A significant proportion of HCPs were found to have suspected GAD and were poor sleepers. This highlights the need for measures to confront this problem.

Comparison of General Anxiety among Healthcare Professionals before and after COVID-19 Vaccination

“…A study by Ahmed M.A et al concluded that 78% of dentists were suffering from fear and anxiety during the pandemic [20]. According to one study, it was discovered that, along with anxiety, healthcare professionals had developed a sleep disorder during the pandemic [21][22][23][24]. This, in turn, was linked to psychological disturbance [22,25].…”

The effect of Covid-19 on the mental health of the people in the Indian subcontinent: A scoping review

“…HCWs who lived in a combined family are two times more likely to display signs of anxiety [ 30 ]. A significant predictor of probable GAD was discovered to be the presence of high-risk family members [ 29 ]. Females are more likely to have anxiety in comparison to males [ 11 , 12 , 17 , 19 , 30 , 44 ] and single people are less likely to be anxious when compared to married people [ 11 , 17 , 37 , 44 ].…”

“…Working in primary or secondary healthcare facilities was potentially related to sleep disturbance, although age, educational level, the availability of PPE, and Covid-19 training were not significantly related to sleep pattern [ 37 ]. Significant predictors of low sleep quality included the existence of addictive behaviours, unprotected interaction with COVID-19 individuals, and suspected generalised anxiety disorder [ 29 ]. Sleep quality disturbance was found to be statistically significant with severity of illness as well [ 43 ].…”

COVID-19 Pandemic and Challenges Faced by Healthcare Professionals in India

“…Even under normal circumstances, doctors and other healthcare professionals are at increased risk of mental health issues due to the stressful nature of work. The situation was compounded by the pandemic with a high stress level at the workplace leading to depression, anxiety, and panic attacks [ 14 ]. Even some incidents of suicides were reported.…”