Change in depression during the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare providers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has increased mental health problems among healthcare workers globally. However, studies from low- and middle-income countries on this matter were minimal. This study assessed the change in depression prevalence during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and asso...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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PeerJ Inc.
2023-04-01
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| Series: | PeerJ |
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/15053.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797424096480329728 |
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| author | Firehiwot Workneh Alemayehu Worku Nega Assefa Yemane Berhane |
| author_facet | Firehiwot Workneh Alemayehu Worku Nega Assefa Yemane Berhane |
| author_sort | Firehiwot Workneh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background The COVID-19 pandemic has increased mental health problems among healthcare workers globally. However, studies from low- and middle-income countries on this matter were minimal. This study assessed the change in depression prevalence during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors among healthcare providers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods We conducted surveys among healthcare workers in Addis Ababa at two-time points, September 2020 and October 2021. A total of 577 study participants were randomly selected based on registers obtained from professional associations. Computer-assisted telephone interviewing technique was used for data collection. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to screen for depression. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify potential factors associated with depression. Result The prevalence of depression among healthcare workers was 2.3% (95% CI [1.1–4.8]) in Time 1 and 6.5% (95% CI [4.1–10.1]) in Time 2; nearly a three-fold increase in Time 2 compared to Time 1. The most frequently reported symptoms at both times based on the PHQ-9 item were having poor energy, sleep problem, and anhedonia, while reported suicidal ideation was less than 5%. Depression showed a positive and significant association with a positive COVID-19 test result (AOR 7.25 95% CI [1.32–39.4]) in Time 1, and with being a female healthcare provider (AOR 3.96 95% CI [1.08–14.51]) and lack of COVID-19 related policy or guidelines at the workplace (AOR 3.22 95% CI [1.11–9.35]) in Time 2. Conclusion The prevalence of depression among healthcare workers tripled during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Panic reaction to positive COVID-19 test result seems to have a negative effect at the beginning while lack of disease-specific prevention guidelines and comprehensive psychological interventions for healthcare providers had an adverse effect on the mental health of health workers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T07:57:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2593446704fc4e0ba03cb21fbd8b098f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T07:57:19Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | PeerJ Inc. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PeerJ |
| spelling | doaj.art-2593446704fc4e0ba03cb21fbd8b098f2023-12-03T00:54:00ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592023-04-0111e1505310.7717/peerj.15053Change in depression during the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare providers in Addis Ababa, EthiopiaFirehiwot Workneh0Alemayehu Worku1Nega Assefa2Yemane Berhane3Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaEpidemiology and Biostatistics, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCollege of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, EthiopiaEpidemiology and Biostatistics, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaBackground The COVID-19 pandemic has increased mental health problems among healthcare workers globally. However, studies from low- and middle-income countries on this matter were minimal. This study assessed the change in depression prevalence during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors among healthcare providers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods We conducted surveys among healthcare workers in Addis Ababa at two-time points, September 2020 and October 2021. A total of 577 study participants were randomly selected based on registers obtained from professional associations. Computer-assisted telephone interviewing technique was used for data collection. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to screen for depression. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify potential factors associated with depression. Result The prevalence of depression among healthcare workers was 2.3% (95% CI [1.1–4.8]) in Time 1 and 6.5% (95% CI [4.1–10.1]) in Time 2; nearly a three-fold increase in Time 2 compared to Time 1. The most frequently reported symptoms at both times based on the PHQ-9 item were having poor energy, sleep problem, and anhedonia, while reported suicidal ideation was less than 5%. Depression showed a positive and significant association with a positive COVID-19 test result (AOR 7.25 95% CI [1.32–39.4]) in Time 1, and with being a female healthcare provider (AOR 3.96 95% CI [1.08–14.51]) and lack of COVID-19 related policy or guidelines at the workplace (AOR 3.22 95% CI [1.11–9.35]) in Time 2. Conclusion The prevalence of depression among healthcare workers tripled during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Panic reaction to positive COVID-19 test result seems to have a negative effect at the beginning while lack of disease-specific prevention guidelines and comprehensive psychological interventions for healthcare providers had an adverse effect on the mental health of health workers.https://peerj.com/articles/15053.pdfCOVID-19DepressionMental healthHealthcare providersAddis AbabaEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Firehiwot Workneh Alemayehu Worku Nega Assefa Yemane Berhane Change in depression during the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare providers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia PeerJ COVID-19 Depression Mental health Healthcare providers Addis Ababa Ethiopia |
| title | Change in depression during the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare providers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| title_full | Change in depression during the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare providers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Change in depression during the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare providers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Change in depression during the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare providers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| title_short | Change in depression during the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare providers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| title_sort | change in depression during the covid 19 pandemic among healthcare providers in addis ababa ethiopia |
| topic | COVID-19 Depression Mental health Healthcare providers Addis Ababa Ethiopia |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/15053.pdf |
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