Prevalence of depression and anxiety among healthcare providers during the COVID-19 era in Egypt – a cross-sectional study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Pediatrics department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

2 Public Health and Community Medicine department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.

3 Psychiatry department, Faculty of medicine, Cairo University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed healthcare providers to a psychological burden, especially those on the front lines. Objective: This study aimed to high light the risk factors contributed to psychological pain among healthcare providers (HCP) during the COVID -19 pandemic in Egypt. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 430 pediatric HCP (from March 2021 to January 2022) who responded to an online survey that included general questions (sociodemographic information, the professional role, and possible changes in job duties), and validated psychometric tools: General Health Questionnaire-12 Items (GHQ-12), the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Results: The prevalence of anxiety and depression among pediatricians was 28% and 23.7% respectively, among nurses was 53.4% and 52.6% respectively and among other included HCP it was 18.6% and 23.7% respectively. This study showed a high prevalence of anxiety and depression among HCP during the COVID-19 pandemic. Females and nurses were the most vulnerable. Reduction of the monthly income and insufficiency of personal protective equipments were of the highest risk factors creating psychological burden. Conclusion: regular psychological risk assessments of healthcare staff should be conducted, particularly during crisis situations.

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