This cross-sectional study found a substantial proportion of mental health issues in healthcare workers (HCWs) during the pandemic, particularly among women and front-line healthcare workers.
- Cross-sectional, web-based study collected data between March 27 and March 31, 2020 (days immediately preceding the COVID-19 peak in Italy), using an online questionnaire spread via social networks using a snowball technique and sponsored social network advertisements, making it impossible to determine response rate.
- Key mental health outcomes were posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and perceived stress were assessed.
- A total of 1379 HCWs completed the questionnaire
- 49.38% endorsed PTSS
- 24.73% endorsed symptoms of depression
- 19.80% endorsed symptoms of anxiety
- 8.27% endorsed insomnia
- 21.90% endorsed high perceived stress
- Having a colleague deceased was associated with PTSS (OR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.30-5.19; P = .007) and symptoms of depression (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.05-4.07; P = .04) and insomnia (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.21-7.18; P = .02)
- Having a colleague hospitalized was associated with PTSS (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.10-2.16; P = .01) and higher perceived stress (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.30-2.85; P = .001)
- Being exposed to contagion was associated with symptoms of depression (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.11-2.14; P = .01)
