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Review paper

Psychosocial influence of COVID-19 on healthcare workers

By
Aleksandra Pašić Orcid logo ,
Aleksandra Pašić
Contact Aleksandra Pašić

Department for Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Slavenka Štraus ,
Slavenka Štraus

Department of Cardiac Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Emina Smajić ,
Emina Smajić

Sunce Agram Polyclinic, Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ermin Begović ,
Ermin Begović

Department for Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ilirijana Haxhibeqiri-Karabdić ,
Ilirijana Haxhibeqiri-Karabdić

Department of Cardiac Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nada Spasojević
Nada Spasojević

Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Aim
To assess a psychosocial impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on health care workers and to quantify the size of depression symptoms, anxiety and stress levels.
Methods
This cross-sectional study used an anonymous online survey questionnaire as a research instrument and it included 114
health workers of all profiles from the Sarajevo Canton employed in private and public institutions. The research was voluntary, non-commercial and all participants provided an oral informed consent. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaire was used for assessing emotional status of depression, anxiety and stress.
Results
The mean age of participants was 40.5±8.44 years with male:female ratio of 0.28. Prevalence of depression was 46.5%,
anxiety61.4%, and 36.9% stress. Age and gender had no effect on emotional status, but it was revealed that women achieved higher depression, anxiety and stress scores than men (without statistical significance). The most notable effect on the emotional state was found for direct or indirect contact with COVID-19 patients. Medical workers in direct contact with COVID-19 patients achieved greater depression (p=0.005), anxiety (p=0.001), stress (p=0.030)
and total DASS-21 (p=0.003) scores.
Conclusion
High prevalence of health workers affected by various psychological ailments during the COVID-19 pandemic was found. This evidence underscores the need to address adverse effects of the pandemic on mental health of health care workers.

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