Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, risk perception and coping strategies among health care workers in Albania - evidence that needs attention

Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health

Enkeleda Sinaj¹  Roy Rillera Marzo²  Jorgjie Bucaj³  Lorena Alikaj Serjanaj³  Juljana Xhindoli⁴  Jerina Jaho⁵  Mila Nu Nu Htay⁶  Glodiana Sinanaj⁷  Fatjona Kamberi⁷  Yllka Stramarko⁷  Paola Arapi⁷  Brunilda Subashi⁷  Kristela Jaupaj⁷  Ledia Dine⁸  Arberesha Gurguri⁸ 

[1] Corresponding author.;Department of Economics, Faculty of Economy, University of Vlore”Ismail Qemali”, Vlore, Albania;Department of Health Care, Faculty of Health, University of Vlore “Ismail Qemali”, Vlore, Albania;Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health, University of Vlore “Ismail Qemali”, Vlore, Albania;Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Technical Medical Sciences, University of Medicine Tirana, Albania;Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Asia Metropolitan University, Johor, Malaysia;Research Centre of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Vlore “Ismail Qemali”, Vlore, Albania;University Medical Center of Tirana “Mother Teresa”, Tirana, Albania;

关键词: COVID-19;    Impact;    Mental health;    Health care workers;    First wave;    Albania;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted health care workers in many ways including mental health. This impact is usually underestimated in particular in developing countries. Objectives: The study aims to assess the level of anxiety, depression, risk perception, and coping strategies of Albanian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional online study was conducted from April to May 2020 by recruiting health care personnel through the snowballing method. Data collection was carried out through social media using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) by Google forms. Participants were recruited from all health care sectors including doctors, nurses, etc. working in both the public and private sectors. Results: 410 questionnaires were included in the analysis. Most participants were nurses (59.3%), female (78.5%), and belonged to the age group 26–40 years (46.3%). Mild levels of anxiety were expressed in 26.9% of participants while 7.2% of them expressed moderate levels. 23.1% and 12.1% of participants expressed respectively mild and moderate depression levels. High levels of risk perception were found. A statistical association was found between occupation (p = 0.011), gender (p = 0.031), providing care for COVID-19 patients (p = 0.011), and the availably of mental health support in the workplace. Poor coping strategies were reported among participants. Conclusions: Mental health support should be a priority of the healthcare system in particular for young health care workers caring for COVID-19 patients. It can improve the mental health status of health care workers and their family members, impacting the quality of care provided.

【 授权许可】

Unknown