Depression prevalence in Intensive Care Unit nursing workers: a study at hospitals in a northwestern city of São Paulo State

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression in nursing staff working in Intensive Care Units of hospitals from a city in Northwestern São Paulo State -Brazil, examining its association with participants' socio-demographic characteristics. The Beck Depression Inventory was applied to a sample of 67 nursing workers from three general hospitals, showing an 28.4% prevalence of depression. The analysis based on the multiple model showed a significant association between depression and marital status (OR=1.52), night work (OR=1.46) and double shifts (OR=2.11). Also, there were significant percentages of workers who reported discouragement, sadness and hopelessness. In conclusion, the prevalence of depression is significant and more attention should be paid to this problem workers at these units face. Further studies are needed in the attempt to broaden knowledge on the subject, which can support strategies to guarantee attention to ICU nursing workers' physical and mental health needs. Prevalencia de depresión en trabajadores de enfermería de Unidades de Terapia Intensiva: estudio en hospitales de una ciudad del noroeste del Estado de Sao PauloEste estudio fue realizado con el objetivo de estimar la prevalencia de depresión, en trabajadores de enfermería de Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) de hospitales de una ciudad del Noroeste del estado de Sao Paulo, analizando su asociación con las características sociodemográficas de los participantes. Se aplicó el Inventario de Depresión de Beck a una muestra de 67 trabajadores de enfermería de tres hospitales generales; se observó una prevalencia de 28,4% de depresión. El análisis por el modelo múltiple demostró asociación significativa entre depresión y estado civil (OR=1,52), trabajo nocturno (OR=1,46) y doble jornada (OR=2,11), fueron significativos también los porcentajes de trabajadores que relataron desanimo, tristeza y desesperanza. Se concluye que es significativa la prevalencia de depresión y que se debe dar mayor atención a ese problema enfrentado por los trabajadores de esas unidades. Se sugiere la realización de otros estudios buscando ampliar el conocimiento sobre la temática, los cuales pueden respaldar estrategias que objetiven asegurar, al trabajador de enfermería de las UTIs, atención a sus necesidades de salud física y psíquica.

Burnout and depressive symptoms in intensive care nurses: relationship analysis

“…Regarding the work shift, the prevalence of burnout syndrome is generally considered to be higher in nurses working at night; in the present study however, a contradictory finding showed an equal percentage between the morning and night shifts (13,15) . The literature points out that the professionals most affected by burnout are those with over 30 hours of service per week, since professionals with a shorter workload often choose to have a second job because they see this as a possibility of improving their income (2) .…”

“…Regarding the prevalence of depressive symptoms, the results found in the literature showed 9% with severe depression and 21% with dysphoria (13) . Our findings indicated percentages of 5.49% for both, somewhat lower than reported in the literature.…”

“…Regarding the profile of nursing workers with depressive symptoms, there is predominance among females and young people between 20 and 40 years of age (21) . However, another national study reported that the age variable was not significantly associated with increased prevalence of depressive symptoms (13) . As for marital status, there is a higher prevalence of depression in people who do not have close interpersonal relationships, without children, or who are separated or divorced (13) .…”

“…As for marital status, there is a higher prevalence of depression in people who do not have close interpersonal relationships, without children, or who are separated or divorced (13) . Studies carried out with nursing staff working in an intensive care unit showed that the prevalence of depressive symptoms is higher in professionals working in the night shift and that there was a significant association between depressive symptoms and work shift (13,(22)(23)(24) , a contradictory result to this (1) : using Pearson's correlation test. Burnout and depressive symptoms in intensive care nurses: relationship analysis Vasconcelos EM, Martino MMF, França SPS research.…”

“…Burnout and depressive symptoms in intensive care nurses: relationship analysis Vasconcelos EM, Martino MMF, França SPS research. The literature points out that the probability of these night shift workers presenting depressive symptoms was 1.48 (OR) times the chance of day shift professionals (13) . Night work is detrimental to health due to changes in the circadian rhythm, which are associated with the exhausting characteristics of the intensive care unit environment, heightening their effects on the mental health of nursing workers.…”