Psychological challenges and coping strategies of quarantined healthcare workers exposed to confirmed COVID-19 cases in a tertiary hospital in Edo state

Abstract

Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) face a significant risk of exposure to the new SARS-CoV-2 virus due to its high infectivity. This study aimed to determine the mental health consequences of quarantine and the coping strategies used by quarantined healthcare workers (HCW) at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of 32 HCWs quarantined due to exposure to confirmed case of COVID-19. The primary outcome variables were the frequency of depression, anxiety, and anxiety-depression. Data was collected with the use of a self-administered questionnaire adapted from the patient health questionnaire-9 and the general anxiety disorder-7 questionnaires respetively. Results: There were 32 quarantined health workers with a mean ± SD age of 32.4 ± 8.4 years, and 59.4% were female. Twenty-three (71.9%) had spent <5 years in service. Doctors and nurses made up an equal proportion of 46.9% of the respondents, respectively. The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and anxiety-depression was 9.4%, 12.5%, and 9.4%, respectively. Coping measures employed by the health workers centered on preventing boredom and improving communication. Conclusion: There was a low frequency of anxiety, depression, and anxiety-depression in HCWs who were quarantined as a result of exposure to COVID-19. Health-care managers need to support the establish formal workplace mental health programs to support the psychological well-being of all staff.

Does prolonged stress enhance coping? Nigerian healthcare providers and COVID-19-related stress management

“…[14] This form of non-professional counseling has been shown to reduce the need for professional counseling which is not readily sought in Nigeria and other low-and middleincome countries. [8,15] It lends credence to the phrase that 'a problem shared is a problem halved' .…”

“…However, the study by Mokogwu in this issue of JPATS paints a slightly different picture. [8] In their study among quarantined HCP in a tertiary hospital in South-South Nigeria conducted early in the pandemic, the frequency of anxiety and depression was 23.2% and 22.8%, respectively, when compared with 44.6% and 50% from a study by Lai et al in China. [8,9] As opined by Mokogwu, the Nigerian HCP may have built up psychological buffers to stress that mitigate these expected outcomes.…”

“…[8] In their study among quarantined HCP in a tertiary hospital in South-South Nigeria conducted early in the pandemic, the frequency of anxiety and depression was 23.2% and 22.8%, respectively, when compared with 44.6% and 50% from a study by Lai et al in China. [8,9] As opined by Mokogwu, the Nigerian HCP may have built up psychological buffers to stress that mitigate these expected outcomes. [8] This seems to be a harsh stance, but could it have helped them develop more effective coping muscles?…”

“…[8,9] As opined by Mokogwu, the Nigerian HCP may have built up psychological buffers to stress that mitigate these expected outcomes. [8] This seems to be a harsh stance, but could it have helped them develop more effective coping muscles? Physiologically, constant or hyperstimulation can produce numbness due to the theory of attaining the threshold where further stimulation produces no more reaction.…”

“…[12] At the individual level, the ability to communicate face to face or virtually was uppermost in the coping strategy employed by Nigerian HCP with 90.6% frequency in the study by Mokogwu compared with 26% of talk therapy and 16% of virtual support groups in a New York study. [8,13] Nigerians usually have a strong network of family and friends who provide social support, helping them cope with psychological challenges. [14] This form of non-professional counseling has been shown to reduce the need for professional counseling which is not readily sought in Nigeria and other low-and middleincome countries.…”