Covid-19 affects mental health of front-line healthcare workers: Study

Team Udayavani, Apr 2, 2020, 12:55 PM IST

Healthcare workers exposed to Covid-19 are at a greater risk of developing unfavorable mental health outcomes.

According to a new research, significant proportion of physicians and nurses treating patients exposed to COVID-19 in China reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and distress.

The survey included 1257 health care workers in 34 hospitals in multiple regions of China. Data were gathered between January 29, 2020, and February 3, 2020.

In the study, over 634 participants reported symptoms of depression, 560 reported symptoms of anxiety, 427 reported insomnia and 899 reported distress.

The findings suggest that, among Chinese health care workers exposed to COVID-19, women, nurses, those in Wuhan, and front-line health care workers have a high risk of developing unfavorable mental health outcomes and may need psychological support or interventions.

Well, it is said that even during the 2003 SARS outbreak, healthcare workers reported high levels of stress, fatigue, and fear of social contact.

During this pandemic, healthcare workers across the world are providing one of the most important services and it is essential to protect healthcare workers. Programs to promote the mental well-being of workers exposed to COVID-19 need to be implemented.