新冠肺炎疫情期间株洲地区医护人员心身状况调查与比较

目的对新型冠状病毒感染的肺炎(以下简称"新冠肺炎")疫情期间株洲地区抗疫一线及普通医护人员心身状况进行调查,分析疫情对工作人员的影响,制定有效的干预手段。方法随机抽取株洲地区抗疫一线及普通医护人员共812名,采用Zung焦虑自评量表(SAS)、Zung抑郁自评量表(SDS)以及自制问卷通过手机网络进行调查,采用excel365、spss19软件对数据进行统计学分析。结果新冠肺炎疫情期间,株洲地区抗疫一线及普通医护人员焦虑、抑郁总分与中国常模相比存在显著差异(P0.01)。抗疫一线与普通医护人员焦虑、抑郁总分比较存在显著差异(P0.01)。一线女性人员与男性比较,焦虑总分更高(P0.05);而抑郁总分无明显差异(P0.05)。普通女性与男性比较,焦虑、抑郁总分均存在显著差异(P0.01)。结论株洲地区抗疫一线及普通医护人员总体上焦虑倾向更严重;而抑郁倾向总体上反而较轻。相较于普通医护人员,抗疫一线医护人员的焦虑和抑郁倾向更加明显。相较于男性医护人员,女性医护人员的焦虑和抑郁倾向更加明显。     

新冠肺炎疫情期间封闭管理精神科医护人员焦虑抑郁症状及相关因素调查

目的探讨新冠肺炎疫情期间封闭管理精神科医护人员焦虑抑郁状况及相关因素,为改善其心理健康状况提供参考。方法采用随机数字表法抽取临沂市精神卫生中心接受封闭管理的精神科医护人员124名,应用一般情况调查表、广泛性焦虑量表(GAD-7)、患者健康问卷抑郁量表(PHQ-9)进行测查。结果封闭管理精神科医护人员轻度、中度、重度焦虑症状检出率分别为49.59%、4.96%、4.13%;轻度、中度、中重度、重度抑郁症状检出率分别为30.58%、7.44%、2.48%、2.48%。不同年龄的精神科医护人员GAD-7评分差异有统计学意义(F=3.207,P=0.044),有无子女及不同行为类型的精神科医护人员PHQ-9评分差异有统计学意义(F=3.993,P=0.048;F=6.523,P=0.002)。逐步回归分析显示,影响封闭管理精神科医护人员焦虑的因素为:年龄和存在A型行为(β=0.225、0.183,P均<0.05);影响其抑郁的因素为:A型行为和年龄(β=0.258、0.187,P<0.05或0.01)。结论新冠肺炎疫情期间,封闭管理精神科医护人员普遍出现不同程度的焦虑、抑郁症状,年龄大和存在A型行为类型者是出现焦虑、抑郁症状的高危人群。     

新冠肺炎疫情下大学生心理健康现状及求助方式调查

目的 调查新冠肺炎(COVID-19)疫情下大学生心理健康现状,为对其进行心理干预提供参考.方法 采用电子问卷的方式,通过问卷星网络平台,随机对四川省某高校在读大学生进行调查,采用焦虑自评量表(SAS)、抑郁自评量表(SDS)及躯体化症状自评量表(SSS)评估其焦虑、抑郁及躯体化症状情况,同时使用自制问卷调查其求助方式...     

新冠肺炎救治医务人员抑郁症状与急性应激反应及心理韧性的关系

目的:探讨新冠肺炎救治医务人员抑郁症状与急性应激反应、心理韧性的关系。方法:采用方便取样法选取参加武汉新冠肺炎救治45 d的167名医务人员进行9项患者健康问卷(PHQ-9)、斯坦福急性应激反应问卷(SASRQ)和Connor-Davidson心理韧性量表(CD-RISC)自评;以PHQ-9≥10分为抑郁症状阳性分界值,分析新冠肺炎救治医务人员抑郁症状与急性应激反应、心理韧性的关系。结果:131名医务人员(78.44%)为抑郁组,包括中度77人,中重度35人,重度19人。抑郁组PHQ-9总分与SASRQ各因子分呈正相关,与CD-RISC总分及各因子分呈负相关(P均0.01)。抑郁组SASRQ的唤醒、再体验因子和CD-RISC的主体性、稳定性因子对PHQ-9总分有显著预测作用(P0.05或P0.01),分别可解释PHQ-9方差变异的62.9%、30.9%。心理韧性在抑郁组急性应激反应与抑郁之间起部分中介作用,中介效应占总效应的59.02%。结论:急性应激反应、心理韧性对新冠肺炎救治医务人员抑郁症状有显著预测作用;心理韧性在其急性应激反应与抑郁之间起部分中介作用。     

严重精神障碍合并新冠病毒感染患者闭环管理策略探讨

在新冠肺炎疫情波动的环境下,严重精神障碍患者在疫情传播链条节点上的预防措施及应对策略,目前的研究结果尚不明确。从既往的防控经验来看,精神卫生专科医疗机构建立行之有效的新发传染病防控体系以及设立过渡病区等手段,有助于降低疫情传播的风险。然而,对于针对严重精神障碍合并新冠病毒感染的患者,其在诊疗过程中精神症状复发或加重,在方舱医院或传染病房无法配合诊疗的状况,目前的管理策略尚未清晰。本文基于抗疫一线实地调研,围绕严重精神障碍合并新冠病毒感染患者的管理现实困难、紧急状态处理策略、一线精神科医护人员的防护条件以及紧急状态下医护人员处理此类患者的法律依据等方面,对严重精神障碍患者在感染新冠病毒状态下的管理策略进行探讨。     

新冠肺炎疫情下网络心理危机干预模式在一线医护人员中的建构

本研究目的是探讨网络心理危机干预的平衡模式、认知模式、心理社会转变模式在新冠肺炎(COVID-19)疫情防控一线医护人员中的应用价值和具体实施方法,以期减轻一线医护人员的心理应激反应,提高其心理健康水平,使其积极投入到临床工作中。     

精神科医护人员“新冠”疫情期间心理健康状况研究

正我们对某三级精神专科医院于2020年"新冠"疫情期间坚守在临床一线的医护人员进行了心理状况调查,并与去年同期进行比较,现将结果报告如下。1对象和方法对2020年3月至5月在我院精神科的医护人员进行心理状况调查。共收到答卷289份,剔除缺乏2019年心理健康数据者和1年内重大生活事件量表(LES)总分≥10分者。最终有效问卷185份,其中男32名,女153名;医生69名,护士116名;年龄21～57岁,平均(32.33±8.23)岁;本科以下42名,本科及以上141名;职称:初级92名,中级58名,高级35名;工作年限3～37年,平均(14.17±4.83)年;     

新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情期间一线医护人员心理健康状况调查

目的 调查新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）疫情期间抗疫一线医护人员的心理健康状况，为对其进行有针对性的心理干预、改善心理健康状况提供参考。方法 纳入2021年10月-12月在甘肃省兰州市重粒子医院工作的162名一线医护人员为研究对象。采用自编一般资料调查表、焦虑自评量表（SAS）和抑郁自评量表（SDS）进行评定。结果 共144名医护人员完成有效问卷调查，检出存在焦虑和抑郁情绪者分别有17人（11.81%）、19人（13.19%）。不同抗疫工作时长的医护人员焦虑检出率差异有统计学意义（χ²=10.602，P<0.01）；不同职业、是否有抑郁家族史以及不同抗疫工作时长的医护人员抑郁检出率差异均有统计学意义（χ²=5.486、4.039、7.526，P均<0.05）。结论 COVID-19疫情期间，一线医护人员存在不同程度的焦虑和抑郁情绪，抗疫工作时间长者焦虑检出率更高，医生、有抑郁家族史以及抗疫工作时间长者抑郁检出率更高。     

新冠肺炎疫情下不同群体的认知、情绪和行为反应

目的了解新冠肺炎(COVID-19)疫情下不同群体的认知、情绪和行为状态,以期在今后的工作中进行更有针对性的心理援助。方法通过问卷星发放问卷,共957名社会人士完成量表评定。问卷内容分别从认知(压力和强迫思维)、情绪(抑郁、愤怒和焦虑)及行为(强迫行为和情绪调节困难)层面考察个体面对疫情时的心理反应。结果①医务人员的认知反应水平和行为表现与其他职业人员比较差异均有统计学意义(P0. 05或0. 01);②除抑郁水平外,女性的认知和情绪反应水平与男性比较差异有统计学意义(F=6. 109～14. 020,P0. 05或0. 01);③情绪调节困难量表(DERS)评分与被试的所有症状均呈正相关(r=0. 280～0. 723,P均0. 01)。结论在新冠肺炎疫情下,不同社会群体的认知、情绪和行为反应存在差异。     

支持性心理治疗在新冠肺炎患者中的应用

目的探讨支持性心理治疗对改善新冠肺炎患者精神心理问题的作用,为新冠肺炎此类突发疫情的早期心理干预提供参考。方法选取2020年2月1日-3月1日在武汉大学人民医院重症监护病房住院治疗的35例新冠肺炎重症患者为研究对象,进行为期2周的支持性心理干预。于干预前和干预2周后,采用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表(PSQI)、患者健康问卷抑郁量表(PHQ-9)、广泛性焦虑量表(GAD-7)和社会支持评定量表(SSRS)对患者的睡眠质量、抑郁、焦虑情绪和社会支持水平进行评定。结果检出32例(91.43%)患者存在失眠,31例(88.57%)存在焦虑症状,32例(91.43%)存在抑郁症状,29例(82.86%)表示感受到社会支持不足。干预2周后,患者PSQI、GAD-7和PHQ-9评分均低于干预前(t=5.272、5.475、4.621,P均0.01),SSRS评分较干预前高(t=-4.639,P0.01)。干预后,存在失眠、焦虑、抑郁、感受到社会支持不足的患者比例均低于干预前(χ~2=18.714、16.232、16.970、4.480,P均0.01)。结论支持性心理治疗可能有助于改善新冠肺炎患者的焦虑、抑郁情绪和睡眠质量。     

Perceived Risk and Mental Health Problems among Healthcare Professionals during COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring the Mediating Effects of Resilience and Coronavirus Fear

During coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare professionals were particularly at high-risk of developing symptoms of mental health problems due to being on the frontline in the battle against COVID-19. This study examined the mediating roles of resilience and coronavirus fear in the relationship between perceived risk and mental health problems among healthcare professionals including doctors and nurses who were actively treating patients confirmed with COVID-19. We recruited 204 healthcare professionals (50% females) with a mean age of 32.92 years (SD?=?7.01). Results showed that perceived risk and coronavirus fear positively predicted depression, anxiety, and stress while resilience negatively predicted those mental health problems. Coronavirus fear mediated the relationship between perceived risk and resilience, depression, anxiety, and stress. Additionally, resilience mitigated the effect of coronavirus fear on depression, anxiety, and stress. This study is among the first indicating the importance of resilience and fear as a critical mechanism that explains the relationship between perceived risk and mental health problems among health professionals directly caring for COVID-19 patients.

     

Mental Health Multimorbidity among Caregivers of Older Adults During the COVID-19 Epidemic

ObjectiveTo investigate mental health status and associated factors among caregivers of older adults during the COVID-19 epidemic in China.MethodsFrom March 1 to 31, 2020, 916 caregivers of older adults participated in an online cross-sectional survey on the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. The seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was administered to measure anxiety symptoms, the two-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) was used to assess depressive symptoms, and a self-developed questionnaire was used to assess sleep quality and duration. Six questions about COVID-19-related experiences were used to assess community-level infection contact and the level of exposure to media information. The prevalence rates of anxiety, depression and sleep problems were computed. The Wald χ² were applied to compare the differences between subgroups. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate factors associated with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and multimorbidity.ResultsThe prevalence rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems were 46.8%, 29.8%, and 10.8%, respectively. Approximately 263 participants (28.7%) presented with two or more mental health problems. Being female (OR, 2.254; 95% CI, 1.510–3.363), having community-level COVID-19 contact (OR, 1.856; 95% CI, 1.189–2.898), and having a mental disorder (OR, 3.610; 95% CI, 1.644–7.930) were associated with increased risk of multimorbidity among caregivers. Caregivers who preferred positive information (OR, 0.652; 95% CI, 0.472–0.899) had reduced risk of multimorbidity.ConclusionAnxiety and depression were common among caregivers of older adults during the COVID-19 epidemic. Being female and having community-level COVID-19 contact were independent risk factors for experiencing multiple mental health problems. Preexisting mental disorders increased the risk of multimorbidity among caregivers, while enhanced access to positive media information decreased the risk of multimorbidity.     

How does the COVID-19 affect mental health and sleep among Chinese adolescents: a longitudinal follow-up study

ObjectiveThe Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has evolved into the largest public health event in the world. Earlier COVID-19 studies have reported that the pandemic caused widespread impacts on mental health and sleep in the general population. However, it remains largely unknown how the prevalence of mental health problems and sleep disturbance developed and interacted in adolescents at different times in the epidemic.Methods831 teenagers (aged 14–19) underwent a longitudinal follow-up study to evaluate the prevalence of mental health problems and sleep disturbance among adolescents before, during, and after the COVID-19 breakout in China and to explore the interaction between mental health and sleep across the three measurements. The chronotype, anxiety and depression level, sleep quality, and insomnia were investigated during each measurement.ResultsThe adolescents had delayed sleep onset and sleep offset time, longer sleep duration during the quarantine than before and after the epidemic, whereas their chronotype tended to morning type during the epidemic. Yet, the highest prevalence of anxiety, depression, poor sleeper, and insomnia symptoms were observed before but not during the COVID-19 breakout. The females and adolescents who were eveningness type showed significantly higher anxiety and depression levels, poorer sleep quality, and severe insomnia status than the males and the intermediate and morning types. Sleep disturbance was positively associated with mental problems among three measurements. Pre-measured depression level significantly predicted sleep disturbance level at follow-ups.ConclusionThese findings suggested that adolescents' high prevalence of mental health and sleep problems occurred before the COVID breakout and decreased during and after the epidemic. Gender and chronotype were significant risk factors associated with affective and sleep disturbances. Depression positively predicted later sleep problems, but not vice versa.     

A cross-sectional study on the mental health of patients with COVID-19 1 year after discharge in Huanggang,China

Objective

This study is aimed to investigate the mental health status of COVID-19 survivors 1 year after discharge from hospital and reveal the related risk factors.

Methods

From April 11 to May 11, 2021, 566 COVID-19 survivors in Huanggang city were recruited through their primary doctors. A total of 535 participants (94.5%) admitted to participate in the survey and completed the questionnaires. Five scales were applied including 7-Items Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Fatigue Scale-14. The chi-square and the Fisher’s exact test were used to evaluate the classification data, multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the related factors of sleep quality, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Results

One year after being discharged, of the 535 COVID-19 survivors, 252 (47.1%) had poor sleep quality; 157 (29.3%) had the symptoms of fatigue; 84 (15.7%),112 (20.9%), and 130 (24.3%) suffered from symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, respectively. The logistic regression analysis showed that history of chronic disease was risk factor for poor sleep quality (OR 2.501; 95% CI, 1.618–3.866), fatigue (OR 3.284; 95% CI 2.143–5.033), PTSD (OR 2.323; 95% CI 1.431–3.773) and depression (OR 1.950; 95% CI 1.106–3.436) in COVID-19 survivors. Smoking contributed to the poor sleep quality (OR 2.005; 95% CI 1.044–3.850), anxiety (OR 4.491; 95% CI 2.276–8.861) and depression (OR 5.459; 95% CI 2.651–11.239) in survivors. Drinking influenced fatigue (OR 2.783; 95% CI 1.331–5.819) and PTSD (OR 4.419; 95% CI 1.990–9.814) in survivors. Compared with college-educated survivors, survivors with high school education were at higher risk for poor sleep quality (OR 1.828; 95% CI 1.050–3.181) and PTSD (OR 2.521; 95% CI 1.316–4.830), and survivors with junior high school education were at higher risk for PTSD (OR 2.078; 95% CI 1.039–4.155). Compared with overweight survivors (BMI ≥ 23.0), survivors with normal BMI (18.5–22.9) (OR 0.600; 95% CI 0.405–0.889) were at lower risk for fatigue. While being housewife (OR 0.390; 95% CI 0.189–0.803) was protective factor for fatigue and having more family members was protective factor for PTSD (OR 0.404 95% CI 0.250–0.653) in survivors.

Conclusions

One year after infection, poor sleep quality, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and PTSD, still existed in a relatively high proportion of COVID-19 survivors. Chronic disease history was an independent risk factor for poor sleep quality, fatigue, depression, and PTSD. Participants with low education levels were more likely to have mental problems than the others. We should focus on the long-term psychological impact of COVID-19 on survivors, and the government should apply appropriate mental health services to offer psychiatric support.

     

Risk factors for depression and anxiety in healthcare workers deployed during the COVID-19 outbreak in China

Purpose

This study was conducted to evaluate the status of depression and anxiety of healthcare workers and to explore the risk factors during the outbreak of COVID-19 in China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was designed using convenience sampling to obtain a sample of healthcare workers. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect the information of the basic characteristics, workload, and the health condition. Burnout, coping style, anxiety, and depression were measured by specific scales. Multiple logistic regression model was performed to explore the risk factors of anxiety or depression.

Results

There were 902 questionnaires received between February 9, 2020 and February 11, 2020. The proportion of healthcare workers with symptoms of moderate/severe anxiety and moderate/severe depression were 16.63% and 18.29%, respectively. There were 24.50% healthcare workers experiencing moderate/severe anxiety and depression at the same time. The increased workload, respiratory symptoms, digestive symptoms, having done specific test(s) related to COVID-19, having family member needs to be taken care of, negative coping style, and job burnout were the independent risk factors of anxiety. Furthermore, the increased workload, respiratory symptoms, digestive symptoms, having done specific test(s) related to COVID-19, negative coping style, and job burnout were the independent risk factors of depression.

Conclusion

More attention should be paid to the mental health of frontline healthcare workers at the outbreak of COVID-19 in China. Taking steps to reduce the intensity of the work and burnout will be effective to stabilize the mental state of them.

     

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental-Emotional Wellbeing of Primary Healthcare Professionals: A Descriptive Correlational Study

The present study aimed to examine work environment related factors and frontline primary healthcare professionals’ mental-emotional wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in school communities of Hong Kong. A total of 61 (20%) school health nurses (frontline primary healthcare professionals) participated in a cross-sectional online survey from March to June 2020. Outcomes of mental-emotional health were measured using the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (14-item scale with three subscales related to emotional, social and psychological wellbeing); the Perceived Stress Scale (10-item scale with two subscales related to perceived helplessness and lack of self-efficacy; and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (Brief COPE), a 28-item inventory with two subscales related to adaptive and maladaptive strategies. Almost half (42.6%) of participants experienced mental health problems. Those employed in government subsidized schools had signifi- cantly lower scores in mental health wellbeing than those who worked in private schools. Factors relating to increased mental health problems included lack of emotional support, inadequate training relating to infection prevention and control measures, disengagement and self-blame. A variety of factors influencing school health nurses’social, emotional and psychological wellbeing in their work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic were also reported. The mental-emotional wellbeing of school nurses may relate to their subjective feeling of loneliness as participants were the sole frontline primary healthcare professional working in the school community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study findings provide relevant evidence for management teams to build a culture of psychological and social support into workplace policies and procedures. Continuous staff development and adequate social support are important to promote the mental-emotional wellbeing of primary healthcare professionals in school communities as they play a significant role in safeguarding resources during pandemics.     

Risk factors for anxiety of otolaryngology healthcare workers in Hubei province fighting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Purpose

To ensure the mental health of the otolaryngology healthcare workers in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is important to know their mental status and to identify possible risk factors. In this study, we investigated the risk factors for the anxiety in the otolaryngology healthcare workers in Hubei province under the COVID-19 epidemic.

Methods

The otolaryngology healthcare workers in Hubei Province were surveyed using an online questionnaire in which anxiety was measured against the Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the risk factors of anxiety.

Results

A total of 449 otolaryngology healthcare workers participated in the study. Of all the participants, 131 (29.18%) had anxiety symptoms. Compared with doctors, nurses were at a higher risk for anxiety (OR = 2.162, 95% CI 1.311–3.566). Participants who often suspected self-infection (OR = 4.239, 95% CI 1.647–10.909) or family member infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (OR = 4.485, 95% CI 1.511–13.313) were more likely to develop anxiety than those who never. The subjects who had colleagues diagnosed with COVID-19 were more vulnerable to anxiety (OR = 2.014, 95% CI 1.205–3.366). Respondents working in infectious isolation wards had a 3.522-fold increased risk of anxiety compared to those on leave (OR = 3.522, 95% CI 1.634–7.593).

Conclusion

Some otolaryngology healthcare workers in Hubei province experienced anxiety during the epidemic, but most of them did not receive treatment. The healthcare providers themselves should be informed about and aware of their own mental health, and should be given support as appropriate.

Trial registration number and date of registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000030768, 2020/3/14.

     

Mental health and the effects on methylation of stress-related genes in front-line versus other health care professionals during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian pilot study

Healthcare workers experienced high degree of stress during COVID-19. Purpose of the present article is to compare mental health (depressive and Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorders—PTSD—symptoms) and epigenetics aspects (degree of methylation of stress-related genes) in front-line healthcare professionals versus healthcare working in non-COVID-19 wards. Sixty-eight healthcare workers were included in the study: 39 were working in COVID-19 wards (cases) and 29 in non-COVID wards (controls). From all participants, demographic and clinical information were collected by an ad-hoc questionnaire. Depressive and PTSD symptoms were evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Impact of Event Scale—Revised (IES-R), respectively. Methylation analyses of 9 promoter/regulatory regions of genes known to be implicated in depression/PTSD (ADCYAP1, BDNF, CRHR1, DRD2, IGF2, LSD1/KDM1A, NR3C1, OXTR, SLC6A4) were performed on DNA from blood samples by the MassARRAY EpiTYPER platform, with MassCleave settings. Controls showed more frequent lifetime history of anxiety/depression with respect to cases (χ² = 5.72, p = 0.03). On the contrary, cases versus controls presented higher PHQ-9 (t = 2.13, p = 0.04), PHQ-9 sleep item (t = 2.26, p = 0.03), IES-R total (t = 2.17, p = 0.03), IES-R intrusion (t = 2.46, p = 0.02), IES-R avoidance (t = 1.99, p = 0.05) mean total scores. Methylation levels at CRHR1, DRD2 and LSD1 genes was significantly higher in cases with respect to controls (p < 0.01, p = 0.03 and p = 0.03, respectively). Frontline health professionals experienced more negative effects on mental health during COVID-19 pandemic than non-frontline healthcare workers. Methylation levels were increased in genes regulating HPA axis (CRHR1) and dopamine neurotransmission (DRD2 and LSD1), thus supporting the involvement of these biological processes in depression/PTSD and indicating that methylation of these genes can be modulated by stress conditions, such as working as healthcare front-line during COVID-19 pandemic.

     

Psychological and mental health impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers in China: A review

The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has put healthcare workers in an unprecedented situation, increasing their psychological and mental health distress. Much research has focused on the issues surrounding anxiety, depression, and stress among healthcare workers. The consequences of mental health problems on healthcare workers’ physical health, health-compromising behaviours, suicide ideation, family relationships, and job satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic are not well studied. Enhanced psychological stress has known effects on an individual’s physical health. In healthcare workers with pre-existing comorbidities, psychological stressors may exacerbate their current health problems. Healthcare professionals are known to have a high risk of substance use, hence they may be at risk of development of substance use addiction or vulnerable to addiction relapse. Frontline COVID-19 healthcare workers are being pushed above and beyond their limits, possibly resulting in suicidal tendencies. Furthermore, the burden of high workload and burnout may also have serious manifestations in relationships with family and an intention to quit their jobs. Future studies should explore the above-mentioned deleterious consequences to provide insight into the development of mental healthcare strategies to combat the psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers during the COVID-19 emergency. It is imperative to employ strategies to care for and policies to protect the psychological well-being of healthcare workers.     

Depression and anxiety symptoms among returning workers during the COVID-19 period in East China

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety and associated factors among returning workers with different epidemic experience in East China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2435 employees from the enterprises located in Deqing (low-risk epidemic area) and Taizhou (high-risk epidemic area) of East China in March 2020. An online questionnaire covered information on sociodemographic and lifestyle factors as well as knowledge, attitude, behavior and experience about COVID-19. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) were applied to assess depression and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Logistic regression model was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for depression and anxiety symptoms associated with risk factors.

Results

The participants were aged 36.3 ± 9.2 years on average, and nearly half of them were female. Overall, the prevalence of depression, anxiety and both were 19.4%, 12.3% and 9.8%, and decreased with age. After adjustment for covariates, 16 or more years of education, being a white-collar worker or working in the high-risk epidemic area were significantly associated with increased risks of both depression and anxiety, in contract regular physical exercise was associated with decreased risks of both mental disorders.

Conclusion

The depression and anxiety problems were prevalent among returning workers during the COVID-19 period. Targeted psychological interventions should be developed and implemented to improve their mental health.