Assessment of physical and mental health status of doctors working in COVID-19 pandemic

Authors

  • Dimple Sahni Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Government medical College and hospital, Patiala, Punjab, India
  • Rajwant Kaur Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Government medical College and hospital, Patiala, Punjab, India
  • Girish Sahni Department of Orthopaedics, government medical College and hospital, Patiala, Punjab, India
  • Sanjeev Bhagat Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Government medical College and hospital, Patiala, Punjab, India
  • Pawan Kumar Department of Orthopaedics, AP Trauma centre and hospital, Patiala, Punjab, India
  • Niraj Mittal Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Patiala, Punjab, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20211568

Keywords:

Corona virus, Frontline worker, COVID-19, Anxiety, Depression, Containment zones

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to assess physical and mental health hazards among doctors working in COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Online questionnaire sent to approximately 2500 doctors across India, 1214 responded back. Questionnaires comprised demographic variables, marital status, any associated comorbidities, educational level, geographic area according to red, green and orange zone; workplace characteristics (frontline or second-line), place of posting, change in appetite or sleep, whether sampled for COVID-19, and if positive kind of symptoms. Mental health was assessed using four scales like, 7 item insomnia severity index, 7 items generalized anxiety disorder, 9-item patient health questionnaire, and 22 items impact of event scale-revised, to evaluate severity of symptoms anxiety, depression, insomnia, and distress, respectively. Data analysed using IBM SPSS statistical software version 22. Four scale taken as interquartile and median. Kruskal-Wallis test and person chi square were used for comparison. Multinomial logistic regression model used.

Results: 1214 respondents 25% had headache, 8% anosmia, 7% throat pain or cough, and skin allergy 5%, overall anxiety, depression, insomnia and distress found 38%, 36%, 27%, and 18% respectively.

Conclusions: Study evaluated that doctors working in pandemic are under physical and mental stress. 

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Published

2021-04-23

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Original Research Articles