Mental health status among family members of health care workers in Ningbo, China during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak: a Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: So far, the psychological impact of COVID-19 epidemic among family members of Health care workers (HCWs) in China has been neglected. The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the mental health status and related factors of families of HCWs in Designated Hospitals in Ningbo, China. Method:Family members of HCWs working in five designated hospitals in Ningbo, China were recruited between February 10th and 20th, 2020. Information on demographic variables, the COVID-19-related events in the lives, knowledge of COVID-19 and the working status of family members (that is, HCWs) was collected using online self-administered questionnaires. The mental health status were assessed using the Chinese version of Patient Health Questionnare-9 (PHQ-9) and Chinese version of Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the main factors associated with the mental health conditions.Results: A total of 822 participants completed questionnaires correctly. (response rate of 95.80% ). The overall prevalence of GAD and depressive symptoms were 33.73%, and 29.35%, respectively. More times (hours) to focus on the COVID-19 (Odd ratio (OR)=1.215, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.061-1.391), family members (that is, HCWs) directly contact with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients (OR=1.477, 95%CI:1.069-2.040) were risk factors for GAD, while higher participants self-reported safety score for protective equipment of HCWs (OR=0.807, 95%CI:0.700-0.930) was a protective factor. More times (hours) to focus on the COVID-19 (OR=1.215, 95%CI:1.061-1.391), longer average working times per week for family members (that is, HCWs) (OR=1.017, 95%CI:1.005-1.029), being parents and other next of kin of HCWs were risk factors for depressive symptoms (OR=3.526, 95%CI:1.609-7.728 and OR=1.639, 95%CI:1.096-2.451, respectively). In addition, compared with participants who were HCWs, participants who were enterprise workers and were more likely to develop depressive symptoms(OR=1.750, 95%CI:1.104-2.776), while who were government employees or institutions All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. : medRxiv preprint employees were less likely to suffer depressive symptoms (OR=0.529, 95%CI:0.286-0.977). Conclusions:Psychological responses to COVID-19 have been dramatic among family members of HCWs during the rising phase of the outbreak. Our findings provide strong evidence to pay more attention on the mental health status of this vulnerable but often unseen populations during COVID-19 epidemic.

Epidemiology of and Risk Factors for Coronavirus Infection in Health Care Workers

“…CoV = coronavirus; KQ = key question; MERS = Middle East respiratory syndrome; SARS = severe acute respiratory syndrome. * Some studies were included for multiple KQs; includes 6 studies that were not peer-reviewed (28,39,46,47,59,79)…”

“…Methodological limitations included no baseline symptom information, no non-HCW comparison groups, and not controlling for work exposures. One cross-sectional study (843 persons) found a high prevalence of anxiety (34%) and psychological distress (29%) in family members of HCWs (79).…”

Health-Related Quality of Life for People With Acute and Chronic Illnesses During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…[20][21][22][23][24] Nevertheless, those of Black race reported significantly higher energy scores and emotional wellbeing scores in the adjusted models, as is also seen in other studies among those receiving dialysis 25 and those with ischemic heart disease. 26 Despite the pandemic being less than a year old, there is already a significant body of published research describing the psychological sequelae of living and working through the pandemic on health care workers [27][28][29] ; family members of health care workers 30 ; people with pre-existing mental health conditions 31 ; college students 32 ; and people with disabilities and chronic conditions 33 as well as population-based studies. [34][35][36] However, there is a dearth of research on the impact on HRQoL of individuals living through the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.…”

Investigation of depression, anxiety and stress levels of health-care students during COVID-19 pandemic

“…Most of the time, this anxiety is reflected on family members and causes family members to have mental problems such as depression, anxiety and stress. The COVID-19 outbreak has created a large mental health burden, especially on family members of health-care workers (Ying et al , 2020).…”