Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of health care workers in CYPRUS. (13th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chatzittofis, A.; Karanikola, M.; Michailidou, K.; Constantinidou, A.
• Is Part Of: European psychiatry. Volume 64:Supplement 1(2021)
• Page Start: S276
• Page End: S277
• Publication Date: 2021-04-13
• Subjects: ptsd -- health care workers -- covid 19 -- Depression; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.742
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0924-9338

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a great impact on health care workers (HCWs) who are exposed to high levels of stress and trauma leading to negative mental health outcomes, including stress-related symptoms and depressive symptoms. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety and post traumatic stress symptoms related to to the COVID 19 pandemic in Cyprus. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we report on mental health outcomes among HCWs in Cyprus. Data were collected between May 3rd and May 27th, 2020, using an online questionnaire that included demographics, the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), assessing depressive symptoms, the Impact of Events Scale Revised (IES-R) measuring PTSD symptoms and the 10 item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) measuring stress. Results: 424 Health Care Workers (HCWs) participated in the study. 79 HCWs (18, 6%) scored in PHQ-9 above the cut-off for depression while 62 HCWs (14, 6%) scored high enough in IES-R indicating a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. The prevalence of depression and PTSD symptoms were significantly higher among nurses compared to doctors and other HCWs. (20.7% versus 10.8%; adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.70 [95% CI, 1.06 to 2.73]), after adjustment for age and sex. Conclusions: Even in countries like Cyprus with minimum impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on the mental health of HCWs is substantial with nurses being more vulnerable.