Search

Background: Healthcare workers are a key occupational group at risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB). We investigated the prevalence and correlates of STB among hospital workers during the first wave of the Spain COVID-19 outbreak (March-July 2020). Methods: Data come from the baseline assessment of a cohort of Spanish hospital workers (n = 5450), recruited from 10 hospitals just after the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak (May 5-July 23, 2020). Web-based self-report surveys assessed 30-day STB, individual characteristics, and potentially modifiable contextual factors related to hospital workers' work and financial situation. Results: Thirty-day STB prevalence was estimated at 8.4% (4.9% passive ideation only, 3.5% active ideation with or without a plan or attempt). A total of n = 6 professionals attempted suicide in the past 30 days. In adjusted models, 30-day STB remained significantly associated with pre-pandemic lifetime mood (odds ratio [OR] = 2.92) and anxiety disorder (OR = 1.90). Significant modifiable factors included a perceived lack of coordination, communication, personnel, or supervision at work (population-attributable risk proportion [PARP] = 50.5%), and financial stress (PARP = 44.1%). Conclusions and Relevance: Thirty-day STB among hospital workers during the first wave of the Spain COVID-19 outbreak was high. Hospital preparedness for virus outbreaks should be increased, and strong governmental policy response is needed to increase financial security among hospital workers. Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación) /FEDER, Grant/Award Number: COV20/00711; ISCIII, Grant/Award Number: Sara Borrell, CD18/00049, PFIS, FI18/00012; FPU, Grant/Award Number: FPU15/05728; Generalitat de Catalunya, Grant/Award Number: 2017SGR452 Sí

[EN] Introduction: Healthcare workers are vulnerable to adverse mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed prevalence of mental disorders and associated factors during the first wave of the pandemic among healthcare professionals in Spain. Methods: All workers in 18 healthcare institutions (6 AACC) in Spain were invited to web-based surveys assessing individual characteristics, COVID-19 infection status and exposure, and mental health status (May 5 - September 7, 2020). We report: probable current mental disorders (Major Depressive Disorder-MDD- [PHQ-8≥10], Generalized Anxiety Disorder-GAD- [GAD-7≥10], Panic attacks, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder -PTSD- [PCL-5≥7]; and Substance Use Disorder -SUD-[CAGE-AID≥2]. Severe disability assessed by the Sheehan Disability Scale was used to identify probable "disabling" current mental disorders. Results: 9,138 healthcare workers participated. Prevalence of screen-positive disorder: 28.1% MDD; 22.5% GAD, 24.0% Panic; 22.2% PTSD; and 6.2% SUD. Overall 45.7% presented any current and 14.5% any disabling current mental disorder. Workers with pre-pandemic lifetime mental disorders had almost twice the prevalence than those without. Adjusting for all other variables, odds of any disabling mental disorder were: prior lifetime disorders (TUS: OR=5.74; 95%CI 2.53-13.03; Mood: OR=3.23; 95%CI:2.27-4.60; Anxiety: OR=3.03; 95%CI:2.53-3.62); age category 18-29 years (OR=1.36; 95%CI:1.02-1.82), caring "all of the time" for COVID-19 patients (OR=5.19; 95%CI: 3.61-7.46), female gender (OR=1.58; 95%CI: 1.27-1.96) and having being in quarantine or isolated (OR= 1.60; 95CI:1.31-1.95). Conclusions: One in seven Spanish healthcare workers screened positive for a disabling mental disorder during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Workers reporting pre-pandemic lifetime mental disorders, those frequently exposed to COVID-19 patients, infected or quarantined/isolated, female workers, and auxiliary nurses should be considered groups in need of mental health monitoring and support. [ES] Introducción: Los profesionales sanitarios son vulnerables al impacto negativo en salud mental de la pandemia COVID-19. Evaluamos la prevalencia de trastornos mentales y factores asociados durante la primera oleada de la pandemia en sanitarios españoles. Métodos: Se invitó a todos los trabajadores de 18 instituciones sanitarias españolas (6 CCAA) a encuestas en línea evaluando características individuales, estado de infección y exposición a COVID-19 y salud mental (5 Mayo – 7 Septiembre, 2020). Reportamos: probables trastornos mentales actuales (Trastorno depresivo mayor TDD [PHQ-8≥10], Trastorno de ansiedad generalizada TAG [GAD-7≥10], Ataques de pánico, Trastorno de estrés postraumático TEP [PCL-5≥7]; y Trastorno por uso de sustancias TUS [CAGE-AID≥2]. La interferencia funcional grave (Escala de Discapacidad de Sheehan) identificó los probables trastornos “discapacitantes”. Resultados: Participaron 9.138 sanitarios. Prevalencia de cribado positivo: 28,1% TDD; 22,5% TAG, 24,0% Pánico; 22,2% PTE; y 6,2% TUS. En general, el 45,7% presentó algún trastorno mental actual y el 14,5% algún trastorno discapacitante. Los sanitarios con trastornos mentales previos tuvieron el doble de prevalencia que aquellos sin patología mental previa. Ajustando por todas las variables, el trastorno mental incapacitante se asoció positivamente con: trastornos previos (TUS: OR=5.74; 95%CI 2.53-13.03; Ánimo: OR=3.23; 95%CI:2.27-4.60; Ansiedad: OR=3,03; IC 95%: 2,53-3,62); edad 18-29 años (OR=1,36; IC 95%: 1,02-1,82); atender “siempre” a pacientes COVID-19 (OR=5,19; IC 95%: 3,61-7,46), género femenino (OR=1,58; IC 95%: 1,27-1,96) y haber estado en cuarentena o aislado (OR=1,60; IC 95%: 1,31-1,95). Conclusiones: Uno de cada 7 sanitarios españoles presentaron un probable trastorno mental discapacitante durante la primera oleada de COVID-19. Aquéllos con trastornos mentales alguna vez antes de la pandemia, los que están expuestos con frecuencia a pacientes con COVID-19, los infectados o en cuarentena / aislados, las mujeres y las enfermeras auxiliares deben considerarse grupos que necesitan seguimiento y apoyo de su salud mental. This work was supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación)/FEDER (COV20/00711); ISCIII (Sara Borrell, CD18/00049) (PM); FPU (FPU15/05728)); ISCIII (PFIS, FI18/00012); Generalitat de Catalunya (2017SGR452). Sí

IntroductionHealthcare workers are vulnerable to adverse mental health impacts of COVID-19. We assessed prevalence of mental disorders and associated factors during the first wave of the pandemic among healthcare professionals in Spain.MethodsAll workers in 18 healthcare institutions (6 AACC) in Spain were invited to a series of online surveys assessing a wide range of individual characteristics, COVID-19 infection status and exposure, and mental health status. Here we report: current mental disorders (Major Depressive Disorder-MDD- [PHQ-8≥10], Generalized Anxiety Disorder-GAD- [GAD-7≥10], Panic attacks, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder –PTSD- [PCL-5≥7]; and Substance Use Disorder –SUD-[CAGE-AID≥2]. Severe disability assessed by the Sheehan Disability Scale was used to identify “disabling” current mental disorders.Results9,138 healthcare workers participated. Prevalence of screen-positive disorder: 28.1% MDD; 22.5% GAD, 24.0% Panic; 22.2% PTSD; and 6.2% SUD. Overall 45.7% presented any current and 14.5% any disabling current mental disorder. Healthcare workers with prior lifetime mental disorders had almost twice the prevalence of current disorders than those without. Adjusting for all other variables, odds of any disabling mental disorder were: prior lifetime disorders (TUS: OR=5.74; 95%CI 2.53-13.03; Mood: OR=3.23; 95%CI:2.27-4.60; Anxiety: OR=3.03; 95%CI:2.53-3.62); age category 18-29 years (OR=1.36; 95%CI:1.02-1.82), caring “all of the time” for COVID-19 patients (OR=5.19; 95%CI: 3.61-7.46), female gender (OR=1.58; 95%CI: 1.27-1.96) and having being in quarantine or isolated (OR= 1.60; 95CI:1.31-1.95).ConclusionsCurrent mental disorders were very frequent among Spanish healthcare workers during the first wave of COVID-19. As the pandemic enters its second wave, careful monitoring and support is needed for healthcare workers, especially those with previous mental disorders and those caring COVID-19 very often.