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KMID : 0191120210360470325
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Journal of Korean Medical Science
2021 Volume.36 No. 47 p.325 ~ p.325
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How COVID-19 Affected Healthcare Workers in the Hospital Locked Down due to Early COVID-19 Cases in Korea
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Lee Hyeon-Ah
Ahn Myung-Hee
Byun Seon-Jeong
Lee Hae-Kook
Kweon Yong-Sil
Chung Seock-Hoon
Shin Yong-Wook
Lee Kyoung-Uk
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Abstract
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Background: The healthcare workers (HCWs) were exposed to never-experienced psychological distress during the early stage of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of HCWs during the hospital lockdown period due to mass healthcare-associated infection during the early spread of COVID-19.
Methods: A real-time online survey was conducted between April 14?18, 2020 among HCWs who worked at the university hospital where COVID-19 was confirmed in a patient, and the hospital was shut down for 3 weeks. Along with demographic variables and work-related information, psychological distress was measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey scale, and the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-9.
Results: The HCWs working in the cohort ward and those who have experienced social discrimination had significantly higher level of depression (PHQ-9 score; 5.24 ± 4.48 vs. 4.15 ± 4.38; P < 0.01 and 5.89 ± 4.78 vs. 3.25 ± 3.77; P < 0.001, respectively) and anxiety (GAD-7 score; 3.69 ± 3.68 vs. 2.87 ± 3.73; P < 0.05 and 4.20 ± 4.22 vs. 2.17 ± 3.06; P < 0.001, respectively) compared to other HCWs. Worries regarding the peer relationship and the skepticism about job were associated with depression (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07?1.79; P < 0.05 and OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.31?2.17; P < 0.001, respectively) and anxiety (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.21?2.49; P < 0.01 and OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.09?2.17; P < 0.05, respectively), while fear of infection or worsening of health was not. Path analysis showed that work-related stress associated with the viral epidemic rather than anxiety about the viral epidemic mainly contributed to depression.
Conclusion: The present observational study indicates that mental health problems of HCWs exposed to COVID-19 are associated with distress in work and social relationship. Early intervention programs focusing on these factors are necessary.
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KEYWORD
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COVID-19, Psychological Distress, Social Discrimination, Healthcare Workers
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