Psychological Distress and Tobacco Use Among Hospital Workers During COVID-19

Abstract

Background and Aims: This work aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital workers' psychological parameters and attitudes toward substance use, before and during the French COVID-19 lockdown.Methods: An online survey was proposed to the staff of the University Hospital of Nice and Sainte-Marie psychiatric hospital in France from May 18 to June 6, 2020 assessing changes in daily habits, psychological distress and changes in substance use, including smoking.Results: A total of 702 respondents (80.3% female) filled out the survey. Overall, most of the workers reported increased stress, irritability, sadness, decreased motivation, and a worse quality of sleep after the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown. Additionally, hospital workers who were more likely to use tobacco during the COVID-19 lockdown reported increased sadness (OR = 1.23, p < 0.001), loss of motivation (OR = 0.86, p < 0.05), alcohol consumption (OR = 3.12, p < 0.001), lower incomes (OR = 1.69, p < 0.05), living alone (OR = 1.77, p < 0.001) and doing less physical activity (OR = 0.36, p < 0.001).Conclusion: During the first lockdown, significant psychological changes (sadness, distress, irritability) associated with changes in tobacco use and physical activity were reported. Such results should encourage hospital leaders to implement dedicated policies to better accompany hospital workers' psychological distress.

Coping strategies, resilience and quality of life: reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic among Romanian physicians

“…The data indicated a nuanced shift in substance use, with an increase in tobacco use for nearly one-third of participants, which might reflect stress-related behaviors during COVID-19. In 2020, Vanderbruggen et al [ 49 ] found that overall alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking increased during the lockdown, with reasons including boredom and lack of social contacts In 2021, Mounir I et al [ 50 ] reported that hospital workers who experienced increased sadness and distress during the lockdown were more likely to use tobacco. Giovenco et al [ 51 ] highlighted that changes in tobacco use patterns were driven by individual-level factors such as anxiety and irregular routines, as well as limited access to alternative products like electronic nicotine delivery systems.…”

Association between Emotional Exhaustion and Tobacco Consumption in Teachers

“…However, it is known that nicotine develops modifications in the nervous system that may affect cognition and aspects of emotional behavior [ 51 , 52 ]. In this sense, it has been observed that people tend to increase their TC in periods of increased stress [ 53 , 54 ]. Thus, in this study, we observed that as the EE category increases, so does the prevalence of TC (see Table 2 ), and teachers with high EE have a higher risk of TC (see Table 4 ).…”

Thực Trạng Sức Khỏe Tinh Thần Của Nhân Viên Y Tế Tham Gia Phòng Chống Dịch Covid-19 Tại Bệnh Viện Bệnh Nhiệt Đới Trung Ương

“…Điều này cho thấy mối quan hệ giữa độ tuổi và triệu chứng tâm lý lo âu ở NVYT, với những người trẻ hơn có khả năng cao hơn bị lo âu. Có thể có những yếu tố như áp lực công việc, trách nhiệm gia đình hoặc tác động của các sự kiện cuộc sống đóng vai trò trong mối quan hệ này [9]. Cụ thể, nghiên cứu chỉ ra NVYT, những người có sử dụng thuốc lá trong thời gian phong tỏa vì COVID-19 cho biết họ cảm thấy buồn bã, lo âu hơn (OR = 1,23, p <0,001) và mất động lực hơn (OR = 0,86, p <0,05) so với những người không hút thuốc.…”