Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among the Healthcare Workers Involved with COVID-19 Treatment and its Effective Factors in Military Hospitals of Iran

Due to the prevalence of COVID-19 and its adverse effects on the mental health of healthcare workers, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among healthcare workers involved with COVID-19 treatment and its factors in military hospitals of Iran, Tehran within the first two months of 2021 (fourth peak).
Instruments &

This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study, which was performed within the first two months of 2021 (fourth peak). A total of 356 samples were selected among the healthcare workers in three hospitals in Iran, including Imam Reza (501), Family, and Hajar (503) hospitals, using cluster random sampling method. All samples were interviewed in person. To collect data, a researcher-made demographic information questionnaire, and PTSD Symptom Scale – Interview for DSM-5 (PSS-I-5) were used. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 26 software.

85.4% of the healthcare workers had no PTSD, and 14.6% had PTSD. 12.4% of the healthcare workers had intrusion, 14% had avoidance, 21.6% had negative changes in cognition and mood, and 13.2% had arousal.

COVID-19 disease can lead to psychological problems in the frontline HCWs. Therefore, it is necessary that planners and community mental health professionals pay special attention to planning and providing mental health interventions, especially in the field of resilience, to the HCWs of military hospitals and centers that are involved with COVID-19 treatment.