Publication:

Snapshot of stress and anxiety related to COVID-19 among health care professionals of central India

Background Health care professionals are particularly vulnerable to emotional distress in the COVID-19 pandemic, due to risk of exposure to the virus, concern about infecting and caring for their loved ones, longer work hours, and involvement in emotionally and ethically fraught resource allocation decisions. The sudden role reversal from healthcare provider to the confirmed or suspected patient potentially leads to a sense of frustration. During the COVID-19 battle the doctors and nurses in India are handling increased infection risk, paucity of protective gear, and assault.

Methods An online questionnaire based cross sectional study was conducted among health care professionals in a tertiary health care setting in central India.  Proforma had questions on impact of COVID 19, mental well being, stress and anxiety.

Results Of the 237 study participants, 182 had moderate and 25 had high stress. Anxiety was present in 46%. There was a significant difference in stress (χ2=11.22, p<0.001) and anxiety (χ2=6.6712, p=0.009) in study participants <40 years and ≥40 years age. Multivariate logistic regression showed significant role of sleep and appetite disturbances. Positive correlation was established between perceived stress and anxiety (R=0.713).

Conclusions A state of good mental well-being despite the presence of stress and anxiety simultaneously indicates.