Open AccessPsychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric healthcare workers
Author(s) -
Angela Hui Ping Kirk,
Shu Ling Chong,
Kai Qian Kam,
Wei-Che Huang,
Linda Su Ling Ang,
Jan Hau Lee,
Rehena Sultana,
Kam Lun Hon,
Johnson Wong
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
annals, academy of medicine, singapore/annals of the academy of medicine, singapore
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.299
H-Index - 60
ISSN - 0304-4602
DOI - 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2020527
Subject(s) - medicine , anxiety , psychosocial , mental health , depression (economics) , psychiatry , health care , distress , pandemic , referral , stigma (botany) , family medicine , clinical psychology , disease , covid-19 , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , economics , macroeconomics , economic growth
Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)are at risk of psychological distress. This study evaluates the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemicon HCWs in a national paediatric referral centre.Methods: This was a survey-based study that collected demographic, work environment and mentalhealth data from paediatric HCWs in the emergency, intensive care and infectious disease units. Psychologicalimpact was measured using the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21. Multivariate regression analysiswas performed to identify risk factors associated with psychological distress.Results: The survey achieved a response rate of 93.9% (430 of 458). Of the 430 respondents, symptomsof depression, anxiety and stress were reported in 168 (39.1%), 205 (47.7%) and 106 (24.7%),respectively. Depression was reported in the mild (47, 10.9%), moderate (76, 17.7%), severe (23, 5.3%)and extremely severe (22, 5.1%) categories. Anxiety (205, 47.7%) and stress (106, 24.7%) were reportedin the mild category only. Collectively, regression analysis identified female sex, a perceived lack of choicein work scope/environment, lack of protection from COVID-19, lack of access to physical activities andrest, the need to perform additional tasks, and the experience of stigma from the community as risk factorsfor poor psychological outcome.Conclusion: A high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was reported among frontline paediatricHCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Personal psychoneuroimmunity and organisational preventionmeasures can be implemented to lessen psychiatric symptoms. At the national level, involving mental healthprofessionals to plan and coordinate psychological intervention for the country should be considered.