Depression and Anxiety in Health Care Workers during COVID-19

Abstract

Background and Objective: Pakistan has been sternly affected by COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) since March, 2020. This study was intended to evaluate the mental health among health care workers throughout the epidemic and to sight see the possible influence factors. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey composed of n = 237 self-selected health care workers was conducted. Their demographics, COVID-19 associated knowledge, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were noted. Results: This study received n = 237 responses. A total of (59%) of the participants belonged to age group 20-30 years. Females (56.3%) were more among all of them. Regarding marital status, (44.5%) were unmarried. Out of n = 237 participants, there were (62%) doctors, (34%) nurses and (4%) paramedical staff. Depression and anxiety prevailed in about (34.6%) and (42.2%) of participants respectively. Moderate depression was reported equally by doctors and nurses. Severe anxiety was found in (25%) while borderline anxiety in (17%) of all the participants. Nurses reported more severity in depression while comparing to doctors. Conclusion: Females were slightly more depressed than males and anxiety was more common than depression especially in health workers from Sahiwal. Depression was seen more commonly in married individuals while comparing to singles. Risk of transmission of COVID-19 to family was most stressful for the participants and more than half of them affirmed it.