Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of sleep of mental health workers in Colombia.

Abstract

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been reports of poor sleep quality in the general population. However, there are few studies on the sleep quality of health workers, especially mental health workers. The primary objective of the study was to establish the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of sleep of Colombian mental health workers. This study was a cross-sectional study with an analytical approach. Data gathered through an electronic self-reported questionnaire (the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index–Spanish version) was sent by email between September 27 and October 4, 2020. A total of 48.7% (209) of 429 respondents (mental health workers) slept poorly (95% confidence interval [46.3–57.1]). The lowest scores on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were for psychiatrists and psychologists (χ2 = 52.882, p = .000), women (χ2 = 6.393, p = .011), daytime shift workers (χ2 = 15.890, p = .0001), those who reported having dreams about the COVID-19 pandemic (χ2 = 16.001, p = .000) and those who had been in close contact with a suspected case of COVID-19 in the past month (χ2 = 10.269, p = .001). This study found that there has been a decline in the sleep quality of mental health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia.

The impact of COVID‐19 on the mental health workforce: A rapid review

“… 2021 ), while another reported experiences of dreams or nightmares related to COVID‐19, particularly regarding fear of infection or infecting others (Cabeza et al . 2022 ).…”

“… 2021 ), with reports of COVID‐19 related dreams and nightmares specifically related to fear of infection or infecting others (Cabeza et al . 2022 ). Sleep quality was also reportedly poorer in MHWs who had been in close contact with COVID‐19 patients (Cabeza et al .…”

“…Sleep quality was also reportedly poorer in MHWs who had been in close contact with COVID‐19 patients (Cabeza et al . 2022 ), likely due to the associated anxiety and stress of exposure.…”

“…The role of social support within the workplace, particularly in healthcare settings, in minimizing the stress response is well established (Ma et al 2020), and the restrictions relating to COVID-19 greatly impacted the availability of this support. Further psychosocial impacts related to fear of contracting COVID-19 included migraines (Fish & Mittal 2021) and insomnia (Pappa et al 2021), with reports of COVID-19 related dreams and nightmares specifically related to fear of infection or infecting others (Cabeza et al 2022). Sleep quality was also reportedly poorer in MHWs who had been in close contact with COVID-19 patients (Cabeza et al 2022), likely due to the associated anxiety and stress of exposure.…”

“…Five studies reported poorer sleep quality in MHWs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (Cabeza et al 2022;Fish & Mittal 2021;Oderinde et al 2021;Pappa et al 2021;Rapisarda et al 2020). One study found symptoms of depression significantly predicted insomnia (Pappa et al 2021), while another reported experiences of dreams or nightmares related to COVID-19, particularly regarding fear of infection or infecting others (Cabeza et al 2022).…”