Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of health care personnel from government hospitals in Yangon region, Myanmar

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19 has disastrously impacted on the human being resulting with a great number of deaths and somewhat negative mental health outcomes across the countries. A dramatic rise in transmission and death rate had profoundly hit Myanmar during the second wave especially in epicenter Yangon. The burden of managing COVID-19 have led the health care personnel (HCP) into both physical and mental exhaustion.This study intended to estimate mental health impact among HCP by quantifying the magnitude of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress and to determine associated factors.

A cross-sectional, online based self-administered questionnaire was used to gather the data from health care personnel in Yangon Region who were directly participating in COVID-19 management. Depression, anxiety and stress were measured by using DASS-21. Predictive factors were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate binary logistics regression.The study was carried out receiving 406 respondents including 75.0% nurses, 18.0 % doctors and 6.7% laboratory technicians. The participants with moderately to extremely severe symptoms, who required further consultation for depression, anxiety and stress were 15.5%, 17.9% and 8.9% respectively. Stigma experienced by HCP was significantly associated with higher odds of exhibiting severe symptoms of depression (AOR: 2.34, 95%CI: 1.13-4.87) and anxiety (AOR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.08-3.45). Those who have lost their loved one during pandemic was significantly associated with higher chance of getting depressed (AOR: 3.71, 95%CI: 1.53-8.99) and stressed (AOR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.02-6.39). HCP who tested COVID-19 positive was also significantly more likely to suffer from depression (AOR: 2.45, 95%CI: 1.03-5.82) and anxiety (AOR: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.17 – 6.57). Furthermore, presence of children in family was found less likely to be suffering from anxiety (AOR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.17 - 0.90) while insufficiency of government support was significantly associated with higher odds of exhibiting high-level anxiety (AOR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.22 – 5.08).The study finding revealed a significant proportion of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms were prevalent among HCP during COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health of HCP should be taken immediate attention by raising awareness of stigma against HCP, providing both physical and psychosocial needs, and ensuring family support system.