Mental health issues among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic – A study from India

• Published in: Asian journal of psychiatry 2021-04, Vol.58, p.102626-102626, Article 102626
• Main Authors: Parthasarathy, Rajani, TS, Jaisoorya, K, Thennarasu, Murthy, Pratima
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Correlates; COVID-19; COVID-19 - psychology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health care workers; Health Personnel - psychology; Health Personnel - statistics & numerical data; Humans; India; India - epidemiology; Male; Marital Status - statistics & numerical data; Mental Disorders - epidemiology; Mental Disorders - psychology; Mental health issues; SARS-CoV-2; Sex Factors
• ISSN: 1876-2018; 1876-2026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102626

•Study reports on mental health issues among health care workers during COVID-19.•Anxiety/depression is highest among HCWs with frontline responsibilities.•Female HCWs, older, unmarried, those with family stress have higher mental distress.•Mentally distressed HCWs have greater alcohol use and suicidal thoughts.•This group also has a history of receiving mental health care in the past. Mental health issues among health care workers (HCWs) in treatment settings during COVID-19 remains understudied in India. This study examines its prevalence and correlates among HCWs in Karnataka State, India. HCWs who attended a workshop to improve mental health well-being during COVID-19 completed an anonymous online questionnaire. In addition to socio-demographics, domains assessed include occupational characteristics, COVID-19 related concerns, anxiety/depression, substance use, suicidality, lifestyle and family functioning. Of the 3083 HCWs who completed the survey (response rate-51.4 %), anxiety disorder and depression was highest among those with frontline COVID-19 responsibilities (anxiety disorder-26.6 %, depression-23.8 %). Prevalence was significantly higher among those with clinical responsibilities compared to those with supportive responsibilities (anxiety disorder: 23.9 % vs 15.5 %), (depression: 20.0 % vs 14.2 %). In the backward step-wise logistic regression analysis, HCWs with anxiety disorder were more likely to be doctors/nurses/hospital assistants, older, female, unmarried, without a leisure activity, report increased alcohol use and suicidal thoughts after pandemic onset, and having a history of receiving mental health interventions. Participants with depression additionally had family distress and hardly ever exercised. To conclude, mental health issues are common among HCWs in India. Interventions need to ensure that HCWs are protected from mental health consequences of working in COVID-19 treatment settings.