@article {AjiliPA3191, author = {Islam Mejri Ep Ajili and Yesmine Haddar and Asma Riahi and Samira Mhamdi and Selsabil Daboussi and Chiraz Aichaouia and Zied Moatemri and Mohsen Khadhraoui}, title = {Does being infected with COVID-19 have a psychological impact on healthcare workers?}, volume = {58}, number = {suppl 65}, elocation-id = {PA3191}, year = {2021}, doi = {10.1183/13993003.congress-2021.PA3191}, publisher = {European Respiratory Society}, abstract = {Introduction: Healthcare workers(HCW) are particularly affected by COVID19 pandemic changes, being in the frontlines battling and working in an unprecedented work conditions. An evaluation of the psychological impact of COVID19 on HCW is thus required.Aims: Assess psychological effects after COVID19 infection among Tunisian HCW.Methods: We selected a random group of~ HCW in the military hospital of Tunis who filled an auto-questionnaire including the french versions of HAD and ISI to assess anxiety, depression and insomnia. HCW were also asked whether they have been tested positive to COVID19 or not.Results: From 110 HCW responding to the questionnaire, 58(52.7\%) were female and 57(51.8\%) were single. The mean age was 33.7 years(SD 9.3). Our participants were doctors in 45.5\% and trainees in 40.9\%. A total of 30.9\% declared to have been tested positive to COVID19, of which two declared not to work in COVID units. HCW declared to have cases of contaminations of work collegues in 85.5\% and of family members or friends in 54.6\%. Anxiety and depression were found in respectively 32.3\% and 23.5\% of the HCW tested COVID19 positive (p=0.08). Insomnia was found in 50\% of these HCW. Anxiety varied significantly with age(p=0.01), working in COVID units(p=0.05) and quarantine after work(p=0.015). Depression increased signficantly with changing of habitat (p=0.017) and having co-workers infected(p=0.04). Insomnia severity was linked to age(p=0.01), less compensatory rest(p=0.012) and paradoxically to attending COVID training sessions(p=0.027).Conclusions: The risk of being infected with COVID19 appeared to increase the severity of insomnia. These consequences on the mental health among HCW were predictable and should encourage psychological support and prevention measures.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA3191.This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session {\textquotedblleft}Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD{\textquotedblright}.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).}, issn = {0903-1936}, URL = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/58/suppl_65/PA3191}, eprint = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content}, journal = {European Respiratory Journal} }