Background: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is causing an enormous strain on healthcare providers worldwide, from general practitioners to physicians and pharmacists. Health Care Worker (HCW) in primary care is the first line defender in the community. The disease impact is being felt both by those who care directly for COVID patients and those who practice in the community. Methods
A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in primary care/ Health centers in the
North Batinah region of Oman to assess healthcare workers’ psychological responses and related
factors during the Covid-19 outbreak. All doctors and nurses working in primary health care
services were invited to participate in the study by filling in the study questionnaire. An electronic
survey link was sent out via email. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (IBM SPSS
Statistics 24.0).
Result
About 67% of study participants were age 30-40, 76.5% were female, 95.4% were married, and
74.8% lived with spouse and children. More than one quarter (26.5%) were GP’s, 63.9% nurses,
and 9.7% were in family practice. More than two-thirds of HCW had no stress. Overall existence of
anxiety was found significantly different among health care professionals (p-0.007). More than
half of the health care professionals reported no depression. Female staff anxiety level was
significantly higher than male staff (P-0.008). In general, depression prevalence was observed
higher in female staff than male ones. However, no significant gender difference was observed.
Firdous Jahan (corresponding author)
Department Family Medicine College of Medicine and Health Sciences National University
Science and Technology, Sohar, Oman
Email: [email protected]
Najat Mohammed Issa Al Zadjali
Senior Specialist Family Medicine Ministry of Health Oman
[email protected]
Muhammad Siddiqui
Department of Research Saskatchewan Health Authority Regina, SK, Canada
Sheikha Ali Mohammed Al Moqbali
Staff Nurse Ministry of Health Oman
[email protected]
European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine
ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 08, Issue 03, 2021
1269
Conclusion
HCWs who work in the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic are at high risk for developing
mental health issues and an effect on physical health. Their mental well-being is crucial for
sustainable health care services in primary care. The issue of psychological problems during the
Covid-19 outbreak global disaster needs special attention.
Firdous Jahan, Najat Mohammed Issa Al Zadjali, Muhammad Siddiqui, Sheikha Ali Mohammed Al Moqbali.
ISSN 2515-8260