Assessing mental health status among Iranian healthcare workers in times of the COVID‐19 pandemic: A web‐based cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The present study was conducted to assess 3(HCWs) during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods A total number of 7626 HCWs were included in this web‐based cross‐sectional study, via the convenience sampling technique. To collect the required data, the sociodemographic characteristics information form, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale‐21 (DASS‐21), and the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS) were also employed. In addition, data analysis was performed using the SPSS Statistics software (ver. 24), as well as descriptive statistics, Chi‐square test (χ2), and univariate/multivariate logistic regression models. Results The CDAS results revealed that 47.9% and 70.5% of the HCWs had experienced moderate levels of physical and psychological anxiety, respectively. Based on the DASS results, 44.8%, 43%, and 34.8% of the HCWs had been subjected to depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms during the COVID‐19 pandemic, respectively. The logistic regression models correspondingly showed that depression among the HCWs was significantly correlated with risk factors, such as the age groups of 20–30 years (p = .001), 31–40 years (p = .006), female HCWs (p> .001), history of physical illnesses (p = .004), and history of psychiatric disorders (p> .001). Moreover, factors including the age groups of 20–30 years (p .001), history of physical illnesses (p .001) were assumed as significant predictors of anxiety in these individuals. Besides, factors such as the age groups of 20–30 years (p = .002), 31–40 years (p = .004), female HCWs (p>.001), occupation (p = .016), history of physical illnesses (p .001) could significantly predict the prevalence rate of stress in the HCWs in times of this crisis. Conclusion Given the importance of mental health status among HCWs during the COVID‐19 pandemic, health administrators and policymakers of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Iran are suggested to provide psychological screening and supportive care programs for HCWs with the aim of enhancing their mental health and successful coping with critical circumstances.

Keywords

• anxiety
• COVID‐19
• depression
• healthcare workers
• stress