Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Frontline Healthcare Workers (Medical and Paramedical Staff)

Healthcare workers (HCWs) experience unique workplace demands and stressors, with doctors and nurses particularly experiencing poor mental health and increased rates of occupational burnout, anxiety, depression and suicide than other occupations especially through periods of outbreaks. A cross sectional study was conducted using a survey to examine the psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress experienced by health care workers (Medical and paramedical). Data were collected from 300 medical and paramedical HCWs from Egypt in the middle of COVID-19 outbreak. Higher stress levels on Covid stress scale were associated with age younger than or equal 30 years, female gender, being married as social status, doctors compared to other jobs, longer work experience and increased workload. While incidences of both anxiety and depression were significantly higher among healthcare workers older than 40 years, males, with less workload, and single HCWs. Levels of burnout on Maslach inventory were significantly higher among HCWs younger HCWs, nurses, with increased workload, and single HCWs. Personal achievement levels on Maslach inventory were significantly higher among younger HCWs, males, nurses, THOSE with less work experience, and single HCWs. While levels of depersonalization on Maslach inventory were significantly higher among males, nurses, THOSE with increased workload, and single HCWs.
The findings of this study showed that HCWs have a high risk for depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, ensuring a good level of mental health for HCWs is essential for achieving good working standards and increasing the response and efficiency of the health system in case of emergencies such as pandemics.