Introduction The risk of experiencing psychiatric symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic is high among health care workers whose occupations are in public health, emergency medicine, and intensive or critical care. Materials and methods A cross‐sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of fear of COVID-19 among 411 frontline Egyptian physicians during COVID-19 pandemic; identify determinants & predictors for fear of COVID-19; determine the impact of fear of COVID-19 on job satisfaction; and detect the impact of fear of COVID-19 on turnover intention. Three standardized scales (fear of COVID-19, job satisfaction and turnover intention scores) were used for data collection via online google form. Results Regarding fear relating to COVID-19 pandemic; 16.5% of the study subjects were classified as experiencing a severe fear level, while 78.1% experienced a moderate degree. A significant association between the level of fear relating to COVID-19 and work department. The highest degree of fear is in a general-educational-university facility. Regarding job satisfaction; 42% of those having severe level of fear are dissatisfied. Fear of COVID-19 is negatively associated with job satisfaction while positively significant correlated with turnover scores; positive significant predictor of turnover intention. Job satisfaction is negatively associated with turnover intention; a negative significant predictor of turnover intention. Conclusions Frontline Egyptian physicians reported higher levels of fear relating to COVID-19 pandemic (moderate to severe). Increased fear levels relating to COVID-19 have a relationship with lower levels of job satisfaction and higher levels of job turnover.

Introduction: Work is a social double edged weapon activity that may have positive and negative effects on individual's quality of life and health.Objectives: To estimate workaholism prevalence and to determine its effects on quality of life, mental health, and burnout among healthcare workers (HCWs).Methods: Using a cross-sectional study, 1,080 Egyptian participants distributed as HCWs and non-HCWs were recruited. The study included 4 questionnaires to assess workaholism, quality of life (QoL), Psychological capital questionnaire (PCQ), and General health questionnaire (GHQ). Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was applied to critical specialty HCWs in addition to pro-inflammatory markers including Il6, TNFα, and CoQ10.Results: This study revealed that 24.4 and 24.8% of HCWs were workaholic and hardworking, respectively, in comparison to 5.9 and 28.1% among non-HCWs (P < 0.001). Somatic symptoms and anxiety/ insomnia domains of GHQ were higher among HCWs than non-HCWs (P < 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). QoL was significantly lower among HCWs than non-HCWs (P < 0.001). Workaholism was reported among 43.2% of HCWs with critical specialty (P < 0.001). Components of PCQ components were significantly higher among HCWs with critical specialty than non-critical HCWs while QoL showed the reverse (P < 0.05). Working excessively was a predictor to burnout [Emotional exhaustion (β = –0.23) and depersonalization (β = −0.25)] and TNFα (β = 0.41). Emotional exhaustion was a predictor to Il6 (β = 0.66), TNFα (β = 0.73), and CoQ10 (β = −0.78).Conclusion: There is a significant association between workaholism and psychologically poor-health and poor quality of life among HCWs. Critical specialty healthcare workers showed association between workaholism, burnout and pro-inflammatory markers. Addressing of personal characteristics, supporting factors in the work environment and periodic examination of the healthcare workers and responding accordingly is required.

No abstract

No abstract

Background: Outbreak is an infection control challenge in health care setting especially when it occurs in a special setting as psychiatric hospitals. Objectives: Investigate and control an outbreak of varicella among patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) in a psychiatric hospital of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A multidisciplinary team of different specialties assigned to assess the situation, confirm the diagnosis, identify the causes and put an action plan to deal with such a situation. Results: The team investigated the varicella outbreak as per the Ministry of Health's (MOH) outbreak guidelines. Multiple risk factors contributed to this outbreak as the location of the outbreak in a psychiatric hospital, breaches in the hospital infection control program. Conclusion: Investigation of this outbreak was conducted as per MOH and CDC definitions and guidelines. Outbreak control plan was instituted and successfully implemented including enforcement of infection control program, the establishment of an employee health program, basic infection control orientation programs.