Poor Health Conditions among Brazilian Healthcare Workers: The Study Design and Baseline Characteristics of the HEROES Cohort

Author(s):Show less -

Sato, Tatiana de Oliveira ; Ferreira de Faria, Beatriz Suelen ; Albuquerque, Bianca Biason ; da Silva, Fabio Leandro ; Rohwedder, Luiza Salvador ; de Azevedo, Renata Trivelato ; Goncalves, Josiane Sotrate ; Mattos de Araujo Vieira, Ludmilla Maria Souza ; Triches, Maria Isabel ; de Sousa, Rosangela Aparecida ; Cardoso, Viviane de Freitas ; Mininel, Vivian Aline

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: HEALTHCARE; v. 10, n. 10, p. 12-pg., 2022-10-01.

Abstract

This study was conducted to describe the health conditions (the psychosocial aspects, sleep quality, and musculoskeletal symptoms) among Brazilian healthcare workers in the context of the pandemic. Workers answered an online questionnaire, including the short version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ II), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The most unfavourable psychosocial factors were work pace (61%; 95% CI: 52-69%), emotional work demands (75%; 95% CI: 67-82%), predictability (47%; 95% CI: 39-56%), work-family conflict (55%; 95% CI: 46-64%), burnout (86%; 95% CI: 78-91%), and stress (81%; 95% CI: 73-87%). Most workers (74%; 95% CI: 66-81%) were classified as poor sleepers. Musculoskeletal symptoms were frequent in the neck (64%; 95% CI: 55-72%), shoulders (62%; 95% CI: 54-70%), upper back (58%; 95% CI: 50-67%), and lower back (61%; 95% CI: 52-69%). Depressive symptoms were also highly prevalent (mild: 22%; 95% CI: 15-30%, moderate: 16%; 95% CI: 11-23%, severe: 8%; 95% CI: 4-14%). Most healthcare workers experience unfavourable psychosocial factors, poor sleep quality, as well as musculoskeletal and depressive symptoms. These findings underscore the urgent need to acknowledge and address psychological and physical distress to improve the personal and professional well-being of this population. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/10098-1 - Association between psychosocial aspects and sleep characteristics with musculoskeletal symptoms and depression among health workers: a longitudinal study
• Grantee: Tatiana de Oliveira Sato
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants