P-146 Longitudinal cohort study to assess the long-term trajectory of healthcare workers' mental health during COVID-19 pandemic. (14th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carugno, Michele; Consonni, Dario; Fattori, Alice; Comotti, Anna; Bonzini, Matteo
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 80(2023)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A41
• Page End: A42
• Publication Date: 2023-03-14
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/OEM-2023-EPICOH.99
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Early evidence following COVID-19 pandemic onset showed substantial impact on Healthcare Workers' (HCWs) mental health. Most research relies on cross-sectional data collected during the pandemic early stages and longitudinal studies are mainly focused on its first year; more recent mental health data on HCWs are not yet available. The aim of this study is to assess the long-term trajectory of HCWs' psychological symptoms and the associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: A longitudinal cohort study was carried out between July 2020 and July 2022 in a large Italian hospital. At T1 (July 2020-July 2021), 990 HCWs took part in the study. For each subject, we administered a set of scales General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Impact of Event Scale (IES-R), General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7). The same set was re-administered at T2 (July 2021-July 2022). We performed McNemar's test to measure potential changes in symptoms trajectories in time and Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) to evaluate potential risk factors associated with scorings above the cut-off. Results: Three hundred and ten subjects participated to the follow-up evaluation. At T2, percentages of overpassing relevant cut-offs were significantly lower (p<0.001) than T1 for all scales (23% vs 48% for GHQ-12; 11% vs 25% for IES-R; 15% vs 23% for GAD-7). Being a nurse (IES-R OR=3.21, 95%CI 1.92–9.23; GAD-7 OR=2.34, 95%CI 1.25–4.37) or a health assistant (IES-R OR=4.43, 95%CI 1.12–13.6) and having had an infected family member (GHQ-12 OR=1.88, 95%CI 1.01–3.49) resulted as risk factors for psychological distress. Differently from T1, gender and working in COVID-19 area did not show significant associations with psychological symptoms. Conclusions: In the second year of the pandemic, mental health among HCWs improved compared to the previous year and risk factors for psychological distress were slightly different. Longitudinal studies may help occupational health and safety professionals to address various levels of prevention.