Immediate Psychological Responses, Stress Factors, and Coping Behaviors in Military Health-Care Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tunisia

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Karima Taamallah¹  Mustapha Ferjani²  Hedi Gharsallah²  Anis Baffoun²  Mohamed Jalel Hmida²  Walid Samoud²  Hichem Slama³  Khaled Lamine⁴  Hela Slama⁵  Chaker Bechikh⁶  Abdelaziz Oumaya⁶  Hamdi El Kefi⁶  Nejla Stambouli⁸ 

[1] Cardiology Department, Military Hospital of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia;Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Military Hospital of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia;Department of Neuropsychology and Speech Therapy, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium;Emergency Department, Military Hospital of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia;Faculté de Médecine de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Tunis, Tunisia;Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia;Psychiatric Department, Military Hospital of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia;Research Unit UR17DN05 Medical Support to the Armed Forces in Operations and Disaster Situations, Military Hospital of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia;

关键词: COVID-19;    coping;    emotion;    healthcare workers;    stress;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyt.2021.622830

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Objective: The COVID-19 epidemic began in Tunisia in March 2020; health-care workers (HCWs) were suddenly confronted with a particularly stressful situation. The aim of this study was to assess the psychological responses of HCWs during the epidemic, determine the stressors and identify ways to cope.Methods: This cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire that included 62 questions. ANOVAs and t-tests were used to compare the responses between professional groups, age groups, and genders.Results: Questionnaires were completed by 368 HCWs. HCWs believed they had a social and professional obligation to continue working long hours (95.3%). They were anxious regarding their safety (93.7%) and the safety of their families (97.8%). Youthful age (p = 0.044) and female gender (ps <0.046) were identified as stressors. The availability of personal protective equipment (PPE; 99.7%) and good communication between colleagues (98.1%) and managers (91.6%) were important protective factors. Family and friend support (95.9%), following strict protective measures (99.4%), knowing more about COVID-19 (94.8%), adopting a positive attitude (89.6%), and engaging in leisure activities (96.1%) helped in dealing with this epidemic.Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of providing HCWs with infection control guidelines and adequate PPE. Communication and support within the team and maintaining family support help in coping with this stressful situation.

【 授权许可】

Unknown