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VOLUME 11 , ISSUE 3 ( July-September, 2022 ) > List of Articles

Original Article

A Study of Perception of Stress in Health-Care Workers Involved in the Management of COVID-19 Patients in Tertiary Care Center during COVID-19 Pandemic First Wave

A. S. Deepa, KU Vivek, Jyothi, B. J. Arun

Keywords : COVID-19, health-care workers, mental health, psychological distress, stress

Citation Information : Deepa AS, Vivek K, Jyothi, Arun BJ. A Study of Perception of Stress in Health-Care Workers Involved in the Management of COVID-19 Patients in Tertiary Care Center during COVID-19 Pandemic First Wave. Indian J Respir Care 2022; 11 (3):211-214.

DOI: 10.4103/ijrc.ijrc_166_21

License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Published Online: 01-12-2022

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2022; Indian Journal of Respiratory Care.


Abstract

Introduction: Health.care providers on the front line who are involved in managing patients with COVID-19 are at risk of developing emotional stress and other mental health symptoms. It is imperative to study mental stability in these health.care providers, which helps take the necessary steps to improve mental health during the pandemic period. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to study the perception of stress in health-care workers (HCWs) involved in managing COVID-19 patients during the first wave. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cross.sectional study conducted from March 2020 to July 2020. After obtaining informed consent over the phone, the Google Form link was sent to participants whose app number and response were accepted until July 15th, 2020. Google Form consisted of patient demographic characteristics and ten.item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Two hundred and seventy.two responses were analyzed. Results: We contacted 470 HCWs, of which 272 (57%) response was obtained, of which 145 (53.3%) were females, and 127 (46.7%) were males. The mean age of the participants was 30.44 years (standard deviation = 5.01). The mean PSS score was 17.73 ± 5.33. Among participants, 136 (50%) were postgraduate students, 93 (34%) were nursing officers, and 43 (15.8%) were staff. Majority of HCWs, about 75.7% (206), had moderate stress, followed by low stress in 21.0% (57) and high stress in 3.3% (9). There was a statistically significant correlation between the perceived stress score and the total number of working days. Conclusion: The study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic showed that three.fourths of HCWs had moderate stress, which has a significant impact on physical, mental, and psychological health. Females had more stress compared to male participants. Health-care providers in IP services had significant stress compared to HCWs in outpatient services.


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