Comparing the Psychological Problems Among the Health Care Workers Across Two Waves of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Pandemic: An Observational Study from India

Abstract

Objective: Literature investigating the change in psychological problems of the healthcare workers (HCWs) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic is lacking. We aimed at comparing the psychological problems and attitudes towards work among them over two waves of the COVID 19 pandemic in India. Methods: A survey was conducted involving HCWs (n=305, first-wave, 2020; n=325, second wave, 2021). Participants’ demographic- and professional- and psychological characteristics (using attitude towards COVID-19 questionnaire [ATCQ]; Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale – 21 Items and impact of event scale-22) were recorded. The unpaired ‘t-test/chi-square test was used for comparison. Results: A significant improvement in level of depression (42.2% vs 9.6%), anxiety (41.3% vs 16.3%), stress (30.1% vs 6.7%), event-related stress symptoms (31.2% vs 27%), work-related stress (89.8% vs 76.8%), and stigma (25.9% vs 22.8, though marginally significant) (χ2(1) =7.3 to 45.6, p<0.05) were found among the participants of the second wave (vs. first wave). However, on subgroup analysis, allied-HCWs (housekeeping staff, and security personnel) reported lesser concerns over the domains of the KAQ vis-a-viz frontline-HCWs [doctors and nurses]. Conclusion: This improvement could be attributed to greater awareness about the illness, better coping skills, vaccination, etc, however, more research is warranted to investigate these determinants.

Influence of Psychological Factors on Vaccination Acceptance among Health Care Workers in Slovenia in Three Different Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…This is consistent with the findings of a recent Italian study showing that fear of COVID-19, its consequences, and the likelihood of isolation are greater in young adults compared to older people, which could be explained by lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress and greater preventive measures in older people [5]. Education level has a significant influence on the intention to be vaccinated, which has also been confirmed by other studies performed in different phases of the pandemic [46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53].…”

“…HCWs reported the greatest psychological distress at the beginning of the pandemic, when the country went into lockdown, classes were held remotely, children were cared for at home, many people worked from home, and HCWs were instructed to be present at work. Similarly, research from India comparing two phases of the pandemic reported that HCWs were less affected by psychological impacts during the second phase [49]. A statistically significantly lower psychological burden in the third survey period than in the first survey period could be explained by psychological resilience.…”

“…Perceived infectability was statistically significantly higher in the third survey period than in the second survey period. The feeling of being exposed to possible infection was highest among HCWs in the third survey period (one year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic) when the predominant perception was that we were all at risk, when everybody knew someone with COVID-19, and when many HCWs had already contracted COVID-19 [48], although vaccination was already available [49]. According to our results, 38.7% of HCWs had already contracted COVID-19 and 1.9% had symptoms but did not know whether they had COVID-19 in the third survey period.…”

The Psychological Impact and Influencing Factors during Different Waves of COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers in Central Taiwan

“…Some studies had focused on a single second wave of infection [ 17 , 18 ]. A study comparing two waves of infection in India reported that HCW were less affected by psychological impacts during the second wave [ 19 ], but two Italian studies comparing psychological stress in the first and second waves reported no significant differences between the two waves [ 20 , 21 ]. These findings leave questions such as, if in different countries, with a variety in backgrounds or influencing factors, how can the negative psychological effects and severity in HCW during different waves of the pandemic differ?…”

Analysis of the mental health status of hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…In addition, other studies have found that depressive symptoms occur more often in women than in men [22], the prevalence of depression among female physicians is about 1.5 times higher than that of men and the prevalence of severe depression is about eight times higher [23]. The results of domestic studies indicate that the mental health quality of female medical personnel is lower than that of men [24][25][26].…”