Knowledge Level of Health Care Providers about Complicated Grief during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sareh Dashti; Tahereh  Fathi Najafi; Fatemeh Mohammadzadeh; Afsaneh  Rezaei Kalat; Narjes Bahri

doi:10.18502/ijps.v17i2.8905

Sareh Dashti Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.
Tahereh Fathi Najafi Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.
Fatemeh Mohammadzadeh Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Health, Social Development & Health Promotion Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
Afsaneh Rezaei Kalat Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Narjes Bahri Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v17i2.8905

Keywords: Adjustment Disorder; COVID-19; Grief; Health Personnel; Knowledge

Abstract

Objective: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID -19) pandemic had great psychological impact on COVID-19 patients and their families. Relatives of the deceased COVID-19 patients are at risk for complicated grief. Healthcare providers (HCPs) should be able to identify complicated grief cases. The aim of this study was to assess HCP knowledge regarding complicated grief during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted using an online researcher-made questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed and validated before being used in this study. The questionnaire included demographic questions as well as knowledge about complicated grief and its symptoms, risk factors and management. The link to the questionnaire website was sent to HCP governmental and private sectors. Data was analyzed using the ordinal regression model by the SPSS 16 software.

Results: A total of 887 HCPs (69% female and 31% male) participated in this study. Majority of the participants (594, 70%) had fair overall knowledge about complicated grief while 206 (23.2%) participants had poor knowledge. Poor knowledge level about risk factors for complicated grief was observed in 44.3% of the participants. Fair or poor knowledge about prevention and management of complicate grief was observed in 39.2% of participants. Knowledge about complicated grief had a significant positive relationship with female gender (OR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.15-2.08) and higher education level (OR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.37-2.54).

Conclusion: Knowledge of HCPs about complicated grief was low. There is need for HCP knowledge improvement regarding complicated grief by appropriate education.