A FOCUSED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR FRONT-LINE HEALTH CARE WORKERS DURING COVID -19 OUTBREAK IMPROVES MENTAL HEALTH

Objective: To determine whether an educational program on personal protective measures can reduce anxiety and depression in Hospital workers exposed to COVID-19. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: COVID Units & Emergency Room, from May to Jul 2020. Methodology: Educational tool based on World Health Organization and Pan American Health Organization guidelines including videos on Personal Protective Equipment usage was delivered to hospital staff assigned to areas with COVID-19 patients. Likert scale, Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 score and Major Depression Inventory were used. Results: 100 hospital staff were included. About 40% doctors, 41% Nurses. None had preexisting anxiety or depression. 11% reported COVID-19, 46% reported quarantine, and 91% reported contact. About 93% stated insufficient knowledge of usage of personal protective equipment and 35% reported inadequate provision of personal protective equipment. Median score on the likert scale was 5 (IQR 4-7). Mean generalized anxiety disorder score was 6.48 ± 3.4, which improved to 4.65 ± 2.7 post session, p-value <0.001. 41% reported minimal, 34% mild, 24% moderate and 1% severe anxiety. Post session, 62% reported minimal Anxiety, 33% mild, 5% moderate and 0% severe anxiety. Mean major depression inventory score was 16.10 ± 7.05 which reduced to 13.58 ± 5.84, p-value <0.001. Pre-session 59% reported „no/doubtful depression‟, 40% mild, 1% moderate depresssion, while post-session 85% reported „no/doubtful‟, 15% mild and none had moderate/severe depression. Conclusion: We found an educational program that provided information on personal protective measures significantly reduced anxiety and depression in front-line workers during COVID-19 pandemic.