O-3 Psychological effect of COVID-19 on health care workers in primary care during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Trinidad for the period March 2020 to March 2021
Author(s):
N D Maharaj
Year of Presentation:
2021
Objective: To assess the psychological effect of COVID19 on HCWs in primary care institutions (Health Centres)
during the COVID-19 pandemic in Trinidad for the period
March 2020-March 2021.
Methods: All staff at two sites were asked to complete a Google form questionnaire by convenience sampling. Demographics, DASS-21 and IES-R tools were collected. The scores were then calculated to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress and post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD among health care workers.
Results: A total of 40 respondents completed the questionnaire in two health centres. From the total 40 HCWs, 32/40 (80%) were female whereas 8/40 (20%) were males, 16/40 (40%) were medical officers, 10/40 (25%) nurses, 9/40 (22.5%) auxiliary staff and 5/40 (12.5%) clerical staff. The DASS-21 tool revealed that anxiety presented with the highest prevalence, 47% (19 of 40 HCWs) followed by depression, 30% (12 of 40 HCWs) and stress, 22%, (9 of 40 HCWs). The IER-S tool revealed 15% (6 of 40 HCWS) had PTSD of clinical concern while 37.5% (15 0F 40 HCWs) had a score high enough to suppress the immune system.
Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely had a psychological effect on primary HCWs. As such more mental health programs are needed to support staff and reduce occupational stress like SWRHA'S staff mental health hotline.