Psychological distress among health care professionals of the three COVID-19 most affected Regions in Cameroon: Prevalence and associated factors

Abstract

Objectives. – The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression among health professionals in the three most affected regions in Cameroon. Materials and methods . – The study was a descriptive cross-sectional type. Participants were health care professionals working in the three chosen regions of Cameroon. The non_probability convinient sample technique and that of the snowball were valued via a web questionnaire. The non-exhaustive sample size was 292. The diagnosis of anxiety and depression was made by the HAD (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale). Results . – The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety ranging from mild to severe and those of depression were 42.20% and 43.50% respectively. Anxiety symptoms were associated with the age of the participants (P = 0.006), fear of contamination (P = 0.019), fear of death (P = 0.000), and depressive symptoms associated to the fear of death (P = 0.000). Conclusion. – It is important that the improvement of working conditions and in particular the provision of protective equipment, the increase of staff, and the establishment of special accompaniment units for health personnel are taken into account in the fight against COVID-19 in Cameroon.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Nurses and Auxiliary Nursing Care Technicians—A Voluntary Online Survey

“…Our results show that women were less likely to be anxious than men, as well as ANCTs versus nurses. These results are contrary to those reported by other authors, who concluded that ANCTs were more anxious than nurses [40], as well as the female gender [41,42]. There are more women in these professions, and this may explain the results obtained.…”

Traumatisme et résilience associés à la pandémie de la COVID-19 dans les villes de Bafoussam et de Dschang au Cameroun

“…Les sujets de moins de 35 ans sont ceux qui ont le taux d’ESPT le plus important (score cumulé des cas positifs à 60 %). Nguépy Keubou et al [30] , dans une étude portant sur la détresse psychologique chez les travailleurs de santé au Cameroun dans le contexte de la Covid-19, ont souligné le fait que les jeunes adultes étaient davantage sujets à la détresse, du fait de leur manque d’expérience professionnelle, et surtout du fait que jeunes mariés et jeunes parents pour la plupart, ils avaient peur de contaminer leurs familles. On doit toutefois pondérer cette analyse dans le contexte de cette étude.…”

COVID-19 in Nigeria: implications for prevalent public mental health challenges

“…Few studies have attempted to evaluate the mental health impact of COVID-19 in Africa. In Cameroon, the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression among health personnel is 42.2% and 43.5% respectively (Keubo et al , 2020). While in South Africa, another study reported depressive impacts of greater perceived COVID-19 infections precipitated by major societal changes from the lockdown (Kim et al , 2020).…”