Factors Associated With Psychological Outcomes of Healthcare Workers During the Covid-19 Pandemic and Its Effects on Quality of Life

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed at assessing the factors associated with psychological outcomes among HCWs in Saudi Arabia (SA) during the pandemic. It also aims to determine the factors affecting their QoL.
 Methodology: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, all HCWs who are working in direct and indirect contact with COVID-19 cases in tertiary hospitals of SA were invited voluntarily to complete the validated web-based survey during the study period. A total of 1,182 HCWs from different regions across SA and different specialties including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, health educators, technicians, and others responded to this study between the 1st of June and the 31st of July 2020. Psychological risk factors were evaluated using Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale; and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) anxiety scale. QoL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL). Socio-demographic data were summarized with frequency and percentages. The overall anxiety, depression, WHOQOL scores of the study participants were calculated according to mean value, SD, and median. The association between socio-demographic factors and anxiety, depression scales were examined using independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and the chi-square test (for categorical depression/ anxiety variables severe depression/severe anxiety against mild/moderate/moderately severe). While those factors and WHOQOL domains were examined using one-way ANOVA. Multivariate analysis was used to identify the front-line work predictors of depression and anxiety.
 Findings: Poor QoL scores were observed, especially in the physical and psychological health domains. In general, low QoL was significantly higher among workers who reported higher levels of anxiety and depression. The observed factors affecting the psychological health and QoL were age, gender, living with children and/or older people, occupation, years of experience, participation in front-line work.
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Specific characteristics of HCWs may act as protective or risk factors with regard to depression, anxiety, and QoL. Targeted interventions could mitigate the negative effects of front-line work to maintain medical professionals’ optimal psychological and physical health .More research is needed to further determine how the COVID-19 pandemic and front-line work affect HCWs' mental and physical well-being