Open AccessPrevalence and correlates of psychological distress amongst healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: An online survey
Author(s) -
Olamiji Abiodun Badru,
Kehinde O. Oloko,
Abdulwasiu Oladele Hassan,
Oyindamola B. Yusuf,
Umar A. Abdur-Razaq,
Saheed Yakub
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
south african journal of psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.425
H-Index - 13
eISSN - 2078-6786
pISSN - 1608-9685
DOI - 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v27i0.1617
Subject(s) - pandemic , covid-19 , psychological distress , health care , psychology , distress , survey research , medicine , psychiatry , clinical psychology , mental health , virology , applied psychology , political science , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , outbreak , law
Background Understanding the mental health needs of healthcare workers during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with a view of mitigating its impact on occupational functioning is vital. Aim To determine the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress amongst healthcare workers. Setting The study was carried out in Nigeria during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional quantitative study using a convenience sample was conducted amongst healthcare workers. The survey comprised of two Google formatted self-report questionnaires, a 12-item General Health Questionnaire and a questionnaire containing socio-demographic, work related and knowledge of COVID-19 variables. Questionnaires were distributed via closed professional WhatsApp platforms. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and logistic regression. Results There were 313 respondents and prevalence of psychological distress was 47.0%. Females were almost twice as likely to have psychological distress as males (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.21–3.04, p = 0.006). Healthcare workers who had no contact with COVID-19 positive patients had an 87% reduced risk of psychological distress (OR = 0.13, 95%CI: 0.23–0.25, p = 0.018) compared with those who had contact with COVID-19 positive patients. Healthcare workers with poor knowledge of COVID-19 had a 44% reduced risk of psychological distress compared with those with good knowledge (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34–0.93, p = 0.025). Conclusion Findings revealed that healthcare workers in Nigeria reported psychological distress during COVID-19 pandemic. Greater risk was amongst females and those who had contact with COVID-19 positive patients whilst poor knowledge was protective.