Comparing the Psychological Problems Among the Health Care Workers Across Two Waves of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Pandemic: An Observational Study from India. (28th July 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gupta, Snehil; Basera, Devendra; Purwar, Shashank; Poddar, Lily; Rozatkar, Abhijit R.; Kumar, Mohit; Jahan, Rahat; Gautam, Disha
• Is Part Of: Disaster medicine and public health preparedness. Volume 17(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-07-28
• Subjects: comparison anxiety -- COVID-19 -- depression -- health workforce -- India -- stress; Disaster medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency management -- Planning -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 363.34
• DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2022.192
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1935-7893

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Literature investigating the change in psychological problems of the health care workers (HCWs) throughout the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is lacking. We aimed at comparing the psychological problems and attitudes toward work among HCWs over two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Methods: A survey was conducted involving HCWs (n = 305, first wave, 2020; n = 325, second wave, 2021). Participants' demographic and professional and psychological characteristics (using attitude toward COVID-19 questionnaire [ATCQ]; Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale – 21 Items and impact of event scale – 22) were recorded. The unpaired t-test/chi-squared test was used for comparison. Results: Significant improvements ( χ 2 (1) = 7.3 to 45.6, P < 0.05) in level of depression (42.2% vs 9.6%), anxiety (41.3% vs 16.3%), stress (30.1% vs 6.7%), event-related stress symptoms (31.2% vs 27%), work-related stress (89.8% vs 76.8%), and stigma (25.9% vs 22.8, though marginally significant) were found among the participants of the second wave (vs first wave). However, on subgroup analysis, allied-HCWs (housekeeping staff and security personnel) reported lesser concerns over the domains of the ATCQ vis-a-viz frontline-HCWs (doctors and nurses). Conclusion: This improvement could be attributed to greater awareness about the illness, better coping skills, vaccination, and so forth; however, more research is warranted to investigate these determinants.