The Continuing Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Well-Being and Mental Health of ICU Healthcare Workers in Turkey: A Single-Centre Cross-Sectional Later-Phase Study

Abstract

Background This study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on physical well-being and mental health of ICU healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods A total of 51 ICU HCWs working at a tertiary care hospital were included in this cross-sectional study conducted before (January 2019-January 2020) and during (January 2021-April 2021) COVID-19 pandemic. Data on sociodemographic and work-related characteristics, COVID 19 history and current mental health issues via Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), Suicidal Ideation Scale (SIS) and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) were recorded. Results Overall, 62.7% of participants were nurses, heavy workload (working ≥200 h/month) was reported by 76.5% of participants and previous history of COVID-19 was confirmed by 62.7%. Current mental health issues involved poor sleep quality in majority (96.1%) of participants, anxiety (51.0%), depression (51.0%) in at least half of them and a moderate degree of emotional exhaustion Heavy workload was associated with more remarkable decrease in sleep duration (median change: −0.5 vs. −1.0 h/day, P = .020), Vit B12 (median change: 60[−48-293] vs. −65[−371-262] pg/mL, P < .001) and Vit D (median change: −1.6[−13.1-20] vs. −9.7[−39.7-21.8] ng/mL, P = .004) during pandemic, while working hours per month were also significantly higher in those with versus without anxiety (264[150-390] vs. 240[150-264] h, P = .003) and with versus without depression (264[150-390] vs. 240[150-264] h, P = .037). Conclusion Our findings indicate high prevalence of mental health issues including anxiety and depression as well as poor sleep quality and emotional burnout among ICU HCWs, particularly those with heavy workload.

Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

“…Major factors associated with increased suicidality include higher rates of depression ( 27 , 32 , 33 , 36 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 55 ); anxiety ( 19 , 27 , 32 , 36 – 39 , 52 , 55 ); post-traumatic stress disorder ( 32 , 42 ); pre-pandemic lifetime mental disorders ( 24 ) or previous lifetime suicide attempt; insomnia severity; nightmare frequency; poorer subjective health ( 32 , 33 , 36 , 47 , 60 ); and burnout ( 32 ). In addition, other personal factors predisposing to suicidal thoughts include being female ( 58 ); having friends or family members infected with COVID-19 ( 24 , 32 , 56 ); living alone; having poor physical health ( 32 ); being single ( 27 , 39 ), divorced, legally separated, or widowed ( 24 ); higher alcohol consumption ( 32 , 34 ); psychotropic drug use ( 34 , 42 ); and change in vitamin D levels ( 45 ). Younger age is considered a risk factor for some participants ( 32 , 35 ), a protective factor for others ( 39 ), and shows no clear age pattern for the rest ( 35 ).…”

The Impact of the Working Hours Among Malaysian Nurses on Their Ill-Being, Intention to Leave, and the Perceived Quality of Care: A Cross-Sectional Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Healthcare professionals reported physical and psychological ill-being during COVID-19. 5 , 6 “Ill-being” refers to physical and psychological health levels. 7 The increased level of ill-being refers to high anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleepiness levels.…”

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep health among Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) populations: a systematic review of the literature

“…Most studies reported poor and reduced SQ, as measured by the PSQI, with poor SQ prevalence ranging from 48.4% 69 to 96.1%. 70 Both, front line HCWs and non-front line HCW reported poor SQ and/or had moderate-severe stress. 71 In Saudi Arabia poor SQ levels were highest among front-line HCWs (emergency departments, intensive care units and wards).…”