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Multicenter Study
. 2021 Oct 14;16(10):e0258475.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258475. eCollection 2021.

Exploring the factors associated with the mental health of frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus

Konstantinos Kapetanos  1 , Stella Mazeri  2 , Despo Constantinou  3   4 , Anna Vavlitou  5 , Marios Karaiskakis  6 , Demetra Kourouzidou  7 , Christoforos Nikolaides  4   8 , Niki Savvidou  9 , Savvas Katsouris  10 , Maria Koliou  11
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Exploring the factors associated with the mental health of frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus

Konstantinos Kapetanos et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Introduction: The spread of COVID-19 into a global pandemic has negatively affected the mental health of frontline healthcare-workers. This study is a multi-centre, cross-sectional epidemiological study that uses nationwide data to assess the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression and burnout among health care workers managing COVID-19 patients in Cyprus. The study also investigates the mechanism behind the manifestation of these pathologies, as to allow for the design of more effective protective measures.

Methods: Data on the mental health status of the healthcare workers were collected from healthcare professionals from all over the nation, who worked directly with Covid patients. This was done via the use of 64-item, self-administered questionnaire, which was comprised of the DASS21 questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory and a number of original questions. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate factors associated with each of the mental health measures.

Results: The sample population was comprised of 381 healthcare professionals, out of which 72.7% were nursing staff, 12.9% were medical doctors and 14.4% belonged to other occupations. The prevalence of anxiety, stress and depression among the sample population were 28.6%, 18.11% and 15% respectively. The prevalence of burnout was 12.3%. This was in parallel with several changes in the lives of the healthcare professionals, including; working longer hours, spending time in isolation and being separated from family.

Discussion: This study indicates that the mental health of a significant portion of the nation's workforce is compromised and, therefore, highlights the need for an urgent intervention particularly since many countries, including Cyprus, are suffering a second wave of the pandemic. The identified risk factors should offer guidance for employers aiming to protect their frontline healthcare workers from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Histograms showing the distribution of DASS-21 scores for each of the three measures; anxiety, depression and stress.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Multivariable logistic regression models identifying factors associated with high levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Likert plot showing the extent to which workers of different hospital experience a feeling of safety with the measures taken by their employers.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Violin plot showing the distribution of MBI scores for each of the three measures of depersonalisation, emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Multivariable logistic regression model identifying factors associated with high levels of burnout.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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