Frontline Nurses’ Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Predictive Factors During the Second Wave of COVID-19 in Central, Uganda

Abstract

Background Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ugandan healthcare system was already under severe strain due to a lack of human resources, poor working conditions, and poor management. At the center of these challenges are nurses, the backbone of the health system. This study investigated post-traumatic stress disorder and associated predictive factors during the second wave of COVID-19 among frontline nurses in the country. Participants and Methods This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted among 601 nurses between May and June 2021. Post-traumatic stress disorder was assessed using PTSD Checklist-Civilian. The bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the factors predicting PTSD. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant at 95% CI. Results The estimated prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder was 65.7%. In the multivariate logistic regression, the predictive factors of PTSD among the study participants were social support (AOR: 0.49; 95% CI: 034–0.60; p ≤ 0.001), fear of getting infected with COVID-19 (AOR: 3.10; 95% CI: 2.17–4.43; p < 0.001) and increased workload (AOR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.16–2.34; p < 0.001). Conclusion The results of the study highlight the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of front-line nurses. Assessing PTSD among nurses may increase the understanding of COVID-19 induced mental health issues. Identifying the risk factors like lack of social support and heavy workload and providing treatment is essential given that various waves of COVID-19 seem inevitable. Supportive strategies like counseling should be provided to the nurses to prevent or manage PTSD.

The impact of pandemics on healthcare providers' workloads: A scoping review

“…Many reported that they were emotionally and physically exhausted (Akova et al, 2022; Bellanti et al, 2021; Brophy et al, 2021; Bruyneel, Gallani, et al, 2021; Butera et al, 2021; Wanninayake et al, 2022), which has impacted on their ability to be compassionate (Niu et al, 2022). Further, many healthcare workers have suffered from depression (Arslan et al, 2021; Cengiz et al, 2021; Duru, 2021), distress (Grailey et al, 2021; Naldi et al, 2021; Razu et al, 2021; Wanninayake et al, 2022) stress (Bergman et al, 2021; Cengiz et al, 2021; Fournier et al, 2022; Sethi et al, 2020; Zhan et al, 2020; Zhang, Xiang, & Alejok, 2021; Zhang, Zhang, et al, 2021), PTSD (Kabunga & Okalo, 2021) and anxiety (Daneshvar et al, 2022; Duru, 2021) due to high workloads. In addition, the incidence of healthcare worker burnout has also risen due to being exposed to chronic stress on a day‐to‐day basis over an extended period (Bellanti et al, 2021; Brophy et al, 2021; Bruyneel, Smith, et al, 2021; Butera et al, 2021; Gomez et al, 2020; Niu et al, 2022).…”

Análise Do Transtorno Do Estresse Pós-Traumático Em Profissionais De Enfermagem Durante a Pandemia Da Covid-19

“…Estudo aponta que alguns profissionais da enfermagem que perceberam riscos para a saúde acabaram deixando o emprego, no entanto, aqueles que permaneceram trabalhando na pandemia passaram por aumentos das cargas de trabalho e apresentaram maior propensão ao desenvolvimento de TEPT 23 .…”

Analysis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Nursing Professionals During the Covid-19 Pandemic

“…A study points out that some Nursing professionals who perceived risks for their health eventually quit their job. However, those who continued to work during the pandemic experienced increased workload and were more prone to develop PTSD 23 .…”