Association of exposure to COVID-19 and mental health status of healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study in Mashhad hospitals

An increase in symptoms of anxiety, particularly in Healthcare workers (HCWs) are already being reported in several countries concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to compare the mental health and anxiety of HCWs in COVID-19 referral centers and other hospitals.

This cross-sectional consisted of 180 HCWs including 81 participants in COVID-19 wards and 99 in other wards. The mental health was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI-18), and Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS). Participants were provided with the online questionnaires using social media apps. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16. chi-square test (or Fisher exact test), independent samples T-test and linear regression were used when appropriate.

The mean age of the participants were 36.55±9.48 years and 120 (66.7%) were women. The mean score of HAI-18 and CDAS questionnaires were significantly lower in COVID-19 HCWs (p<0.05), however, GHQ-28 score was not different between the two groups. The shift duration (β=-0.297, p=0.026), shift hours (β=0.283, p=0.044), and different hospital units (β=0.211, p=0.045) significantly affect the CDAS scores. Also, number of children was significant determinant of the GHQ-28 score (β=-0.224, p=0.035)

HCWs in the COVID-19 wards experience less anxiety compared to HCWs without contact with COVID-19 patients.