Symptoms related to mental disorder in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Author(s)

Campos, Juliana Alvares Duarte Bonini ^[1] ; Martins, Bianca Gonzalez ^[1] ; Campos, Lucas Arrais ^{[2, 3]} ; de Fatima Valadao-Dias, Filomena ^[4] ; Maroco, Joao ^[5]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ Unesp, Sch Pharmaceut Sci, Rodovia Araraquara Jau, Km 01, BR-14800903 Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[2] Tampere Univ, Fac Med & Hlth Technol, Finn Medi 2, FI-33520 Tampere - Finland

^[3] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Sch Dent, Campus Araraquara, Rua Humaita 1680, BR-14801140 Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[4] PsiRelac Relat Psychoanal Assoc, Consultorio Almirante Reis, Almirante Reis 238-1 Direito, P-1000166 Lisbon - Portugal

^[5] Univ Inst Psychol Social & Life Sci ISPA, William James Ctr Res WJCR, Rua Jardim Tabaco 34, P-1149041 Lisbon - Portugal

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL ARCHIVES OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH; v. 94, n. 5, p. 1023-1032, JUL 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Background Studies of previous pandemics indicate that healthcare workers have a high risk of developing symptoms related to mental health, especially depression, anxiety, and stress. Objective To identify mental disorder symptoms among Brazilian healthcare workers during the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic and compare findings in different work categories. Methods This was an online cross-sectional study. Information related to the pandemic and mental disorder symptoms was collected. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale and the Impact of Event Scale-revised were used. Associations were estimated by the chi-square test. The mean scores were compared among work categories with ANOVA (alpha = 5%) and the prevalence of symptoms was estimated. Results 1,609 healthcare workers participated in the survey {[}mean age: 36.9 (SD = 11.6) years, women = 83.6%]. There was no association between work category and changes in mental health during the pandemic (p = 0.288) or prevalence of unsafe feeling (p = 0.218). A significant relationship was observed between maintaining work activities during the pandemic and work category (p < 0.001). Physicians had the lowest out-of-work prevalence (9.5%) while dentists had the highest (32.3%). Physicians and nurses showed the highest prevalence of in-person work routine. Psychologists presented the highest prevalence of remote work (64.0%) while dentists had the lowest (20.2%). A high prevalence of depression (D), anxiety (A), and stress (S) symptoms was observed in all professional categories (D: 57.2, 95% CI 48.3-66.1%; A: 46.20%, 95% CI = 37.2-55.2%; S: 55.80%, 95% CI = 46.8-64.8%), with physicians (D = 38.4%, A = 25.80%, S = 37.90%), psychologists (D = 50.2%, A = 39.0%, S = 43.1%), and nurses (D = 50.0%, A = 40.9%, S = 49.0%) having significantly lower scores. Psychologists had the lowest pandemic-related psychological impact (42.70%, 95% CI 36.8-48.6%). Conclusion Extreme changes in the work routine of dentists and psychologists and an overall high prevalence of mental symptoms due to the pandemic were found. Researchers should focus on gathering information that can identify workers at increased risk of mental illness to guide discussions and develop actions to minimize the harm of the pandemic. In addition, we suggest that healthcare and support systems urgently adopt mental health care measures with specialized professionals to protect the psychological well-being of the healthcare community. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/08239-6 - Emotions, mood and coping strategies in the Coronavirus pandemic
• Grantee: Juliana Alvares Duarte Bonini Campos
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants