Mental Health of Health Care Workers at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran During COVID-19 Pandemic

Ashraf Rouhbakhsh; Mohammad Arbabi; Ali-Akbar Nejatisafa; Sayedeh Elham Sharafi; Farnaz Etesam; Nazila Shahmansouri; Fahimeh  Bagheri Amiri; Rahim Badrfam; Ahmad Ali Noorbala

doi:10.18502/jimc.v4i4.8468

Ashraf Rouhbakhsh Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Arbabi Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ali-Akbar Nejatisafa Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sayedeh Elham Sharafi Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Farnaz Etesam Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Nazila Shahmansouri Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Fahimeh Bagheri Amiri Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Rahim Badrfam Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ahmad Ali Noorbala Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jimc.v4i4.8468

Keywords: Anxiety, COVID-19, Depression, Health care workers, Mental health

Abstract

Background: In this study, screening of mental health problems among Health Care Workers (HCWs) was performed in order to assess the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress at Iran’s largest teaching hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, HCWs who were working professionally in specific wards for COVID-19 patients were selected by availability sampling. The patients who met the inclusion criteria and answered the submitted questions were included in the study. Next, two instruments including HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and PSS-4 (Perceived Stress Scale-4) were used.

Results: The study was conducted on 306 HCWs. The mean score and standard deviation of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress were 6.33±4.10, 8.33±4.29, and 6.88±2.90, respectively. Fifty-four percent and 36.6% of the participants showed some degree of anxiety and depression, respectively.

Conclusion: It is necessary to use screening methods for psy- chological disorders among HCWs, along with psychosocial support and appropriate psychological interventions in this field.