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. 2020 Nov;62(11):892-897.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001999.

Personal Protective Equipment and Mental Health Symptoms Among Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Judith E Arnetz  1 , Courtney M Goetz, Sukhesh Sudan, Eamonn Arble, James Janisse, Bengt B Arnetz
Affiliations

Personal Protective Equipment and Mental Health Symptoms Among Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Judith E Arnetz et al. J Occup Environ Med. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association between access to adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and mental health outcomes among a sample of U.S. nurses.

Methods: An online questionnaire was administered in May 2020 to Michigan nurses via three statewide nursing organizations (n = 695 respondents). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with mental health symptoms.

Results: Nurses lacking access to adequate PPE (24.9%, n = 163) were more likely to report symptoms of depression (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.31, 2.94; P = 0.001), anxiety (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.12, 2.40; P = 0.01) and post-traumatic stress disorder (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.22, 2.74; P = 0.003).

Conclusions: Healthcare organizations should be aware of the magnitude of mental health problems among nurses and vigilant in providing them with adequate PPE as the pandemic continues.

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