Abstract
Introduction: Health care workers (HCW) face a high risk of COVID-19 infection and distressing work shifts to meet health requirements. Few researches about mental health problems of HCW have been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia.
Aims: Outline psychological effects of COVID-19 pandemic among Tunisian health care workers.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed in the military hospital of Tunis via an auto-questionnaire during February 2021.Participants were asked whether they have worked in COVID units and if they were confined after. Depression, anxiety and insomnia were assessed using the French versions of HAD and ISI.
Results: Among the 110 respondents, 58(52.7%) were female and 51(46.4%)were married. The mean age was 33.7 years(SD 9.3).Our participants were doctors in 45.5% and nurses in 39.1%.Sixty-one per cent worked more than 8 hours per day. Working in COVID 19 units concerned 81.8% of HCW, of which 31.8% were confined after. Anxiety and depression were found in respectively 30 and 24.4% of the HCW working in COVID units(p=0.86).Insomnia was found in 42.2% of these HCW. This disorder was moderate and severe in 7.7% and 6.7% of cases respectively(p=0.031).Factors associated with Anxiety were: quarantine(p=0.25), compensatory rest(p=0.16)and working in medical units(p=0.11). Depression varied significantly with quarantine(p=0.03),compensatory rest(p=0.01) and long work time (> 8 hours per day)(p=0.01).No socio-demographic or occupational factors varied significantly with the presence nor the severity of insomnia.
Conclusion: The proportion of HCW suffering from insomnia, depression and anxiety appeared to be significant. Insomnia was worsened by working in COVID 19 units. These consequences should encourage the reinforcement of psychological support.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA975.
This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2021