Factors Associated with the Mental Health of Health Care Workers Exposed to Pandemic-COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Pandemic, COVID is spreading like a wild fire and it has already become a global issue.  People all over the world are going through mental trauma due to the current situation of the globe. The most vulnerable situation is of the front line volunteers like doctors, health care workers, social workers who are coming in direct contact with the COVID patients and working in highly risky work environment. Since its inception in December 2019, Novel Corona Virus Disease started spreading rapidly both locally and internationally and looking to the adversity of the disease, World Health Organization (WHO) declared it has pandemic. The aim of this paper is to explore the determinants associated with the Mental Health of Health Care Workers (HCW) during the pandemic Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).  Questionnaire was developed having both demographic questions and questions related to mental health. Data was collected from 433 HCWs who were the front-line workers, involved directly in handling these patients. Questionnaire was classified into two parts; one included the demographic questions and the second part included questions related mental health and occupational stress.  These HCW were the front line works and were more vulnerable and were having the high risk of getting affected.  Percentage analysis was used to analyse the demographic data.  Exploratory factor analysis was used to explore the dimensions related to mental health and occupational strength.  Multi regression model was used to check the impact of emerged factors like increased workload, the continuous contact with COVID-19 patients and emotional aspects to mental health and occupational stress. Results: Value of R2 obtained was 0.778, which means, the derived factors namely Work pressure, optimism ,Risk factor, Emotional Exhaustion , Self control, Discomfort were able to explain 77.8 % of the dependent variable ‘Mental Health’. All the above factors influence Respondent’s Mental Health, as the significant the factors namely work pressure; risk factor and emotional exhaustion are directly proportional to Mental health.  Work pressure is the most influencing factor among it.  Optimism, self-control and discomfort are inversely proportional to Mental Health of HCW. Conclusion: Most important emerged from this study was ‘Work Pressure’.  Due to the fast spread of this deadly virus, a war like situation has emerged and Health Care Workers are the most vulnerable people as they are serving the patients directly.  They are sacrificing their own physical and mental health and are serving the mankind.  These people deserves lots of appreciation and salutations.