Abstract
Background: COVID-19 was declared as global pandemic by WHO by March 2020. Since then, overwhelming workload, inadequate human resources, technology, personal protective gear and workplace harassment, could cause stress, anxiety or depression among the healthcare professionals. Being care givers to the society it was imperative to evaluate and assess the impact of the pandemic to find a potential ground to make adequate amendments to ensure good mental health of our professionals.
Aim: The present study was designed with the objectives to evaluate and compare levels stress, anxiety and depression in healthcare professionals working in India and countries other than India.
Setting and Design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 200 participants (100 Indians and 100 from other countries-USA, Canada.
Method: A questionnaire link through Google form was distributed among healthcare professionals after taking consent. The study was approved by the institutional ethical committee.
Statistical Analysis: The results of the two groups were compared using chi square test to observe a difference of significance among them.
Result and Conclusion: On analysis of questionnaire regarding mental health of health care professionals, Severe stress and anxiety were significantly higher among Indian female HCPs (17% and 50% respectively) compared to other countries (6% and 22% respectively) while borderline stress (69%), anxiety (39%) and depression(26%) was more prevalent among healthcare professionals of other countries. Media projection about workplace violence and workplace job security needs to be taken well care of to protect the mental health of HCPS in India.
Keywords: COVID-19, Healthcare professionals, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Frontline workers
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Corresponding Author
Dr Somya Puri
Intern, Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College and Hospital, Kumarhatti, Solan Himachal Pradesh, India
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v10i4.15
