The impact of the covid-19 pandemic and social isolation on behavior and mental health of medical and nonmedical staff: Experience from a gynecology and obstetrics clinic

Abstract

Introduction/Aim: Occupational exposure makes health workers m vulnerable and at high-risk for COVID-19 infection and major psychological disturbance. Fear from the unknown, anxiety for close family and friends, rapid exhaustion of protective equipment, direct contact with infected patients, in combination with media-provoked panic, create a considerable psychological burden in healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to assess mental health of medical and non-medical staff of a university gynecology and obstetrics clinic during COVID-19 epidemic in Serbia. Methods: The study was conducted from 1st to 31st of May 2020 through 160 online questionnaires distributed among the staff of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic Narodni front. This online survey consisted of two sections: one included questions related to demographic characteristics, medical history, behavior and habits during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the other comprised questions included in Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21). Results: Among 118 employees who had participated in the study, depression, anxiety, and stress were present in 35.6%, 40.7%, and 27.1% participants. Participants with lower education had higher total DASS, depression, anxiety, and stress scores compared to participants with higher education. Non-medical staff had significantly higher total DASS and anxiety scores than medical staff. Participants with lower education and married subjects were more likely to have anxiety and depression symptoms. Conclusion: Apart from medical staff, non-medical personnel and their mental status should not be neglected, and we believe that future studies related to the psychological impact of public health emergencies, should include this group.