Psychological distress among South African healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed immense pressure on healthcare workers (HCWs). Objectives: This study sought to find the prevalence and factors associated with psychological distress among HCWs in South Africa during the beginning phases of COVID-19 and make relevant recommendations....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Curationis |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://curationis.org.za/index.php/curationis/article/view/2477 |
| _version_ | 1797289300104052736 |
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| author | Shandir Ramlagan Ronel Sewpaul Yolande Shean Tenielle Schmidt Alicia North Sasiragha P. Reddy |
| author_facet | Shandir Ramlagan Ronel Sewpaul Yolande Shean Tenielle Schmidt Alicia North Sasiragha P. Reddy |
| author_sort | Shandir Ramlagan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed immense pressure on healthcare workers (HCWs).
Objectives: This study sought to find the prevalence and factors associated with psychological distress among HCWs in South Africa during the beginning phases of COVID-19 and make relevant recommendations.
Method: The survey was administered online through a data-free platform. Data were benchmarked to the national population of over 500 000 healthcare professionals in South Africa. Multiple logistic regressions were used to determine association between psychological distress and potential explanatory variables.
Results: A total of 7607 healthcare professionals participated in the study (1760 nurses, 2843 medical practitioners and 3004 other healthcare professionals). Half of the nurses, 41% of medical practitioners and 47% of other healthcare professionals were classified as psychologically distressed. Those who were of older age, provided with well-being support services and having a positive outlook on the healthcare system were significantly less likely to be distressed. Being female medical practitioners and female other healthcare professions, requesting routine counselling, being concerned about not having enough leave and that their life insurance policy did not cover COVID-19 were more likely to be distressed.
Conclusion: Psychological well-being of HCWs in South Africa is at risk. We recommend that psychological distress of HCWs be routinely assessed and that routine counselling, well-being support services, appropriate hazardous leave and insurance be provided to all HCWs.
Contribution: This study adds to the literature on the psychological distress faced by HCWs in South Africa during COVID-19. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T19:01:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-feb5a4836466469984b77911394724c1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0379-8577 2223-6279 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T19:01:59Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Curationis |
| spelling | doaj.art-feb5a4836466469984b77911394724c12024-03-01T13:19:40ZengAOSISCurationis0379-85772223-62792024-02-01471e1e1210.4102/curationis.v47i1.24771538Psychological distress among South African healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemicShandir Ramlagan0Ronel Sewpaul1Yolande Shean2Tenielle Schmidt3Alicia North4Sasiragha P. Reddy5Department of Human and Social Capabilities, Human Sciences Research Council, PretoriaDepartment of Human and Social Capabilities, Human Sciences Research Council, PretoriaDepartment of Human and Social Capabilities, Human Sciences Research Council, PretoriaDepartment of Human and Social Capabilities, Human Sciences Research Council, PretoriaRegistry of Senior Australians, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), AdelaideSchool of Education, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed immense pressure on healthcare workers (HCWs). Objectives: This study sought to find the prevalence and factors associated with psychological distress among HCWs in South Africa during the beginning phases of COVID-19 and make relevant recommendations. Method: The survey was administered online through a data-free platform. Data were benchmarked to the national population of over 500 000 healthcare professionals in South Africa. Multiple logistic regressions were used to determine association between psychological distress and potential explanatory variables. Results: A total of 7607 healthcare professionals participated in the study (1760 nurses, 2843 medical practitioners and 3004 other healthcare professionals). Half of the nurses, 41% of medical practitioners and 47% of other healthcare professionals were classified as psychologically distressed. Those who were of older age, provided with well-being support services and having a positive outlook on the healthcare system were significantly less likely to be distressed. Being female medical practitioners and female other healthcare professions, requesting routine counselling, being concerned about not having enough leave and that their life insurance policy did not cover COVID-19 were more likely to be distressed. Conclusion: Psychological well-being of HCWs in South Africa is at risk. We recommend that psychological distress of HCWs be routinely assessed and that routine counselling, well-being support services, appropriate hazardous leave and insurance be provided to all HCWs. Contribution: This study adds to the literature on the psychological distress faced by HCWs in South Africa during COVID-19.https://curationis.org.za/index.php/curationis/article/view/2477psychological distresshealthcare workerscovid-19south africa, mental health. |
| spellingShingle | Shandir Ramlagan Ronel Sewpaul Yolande Shean Tenielle Schmidt Alicia North Sasiragha P. Reddy Psychological distress among South African healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic Curationis psychological distress healthcare workers covid-19 south africa, mental health. |
| title | Psychological distress among South African healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full | Psychological distress among South African healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Psychological distress among South African healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychological distress among South African healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_short | Psychological distress among South African healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_sort | psychological distress among south african healthcare workers during the covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | psychological distress healthcare workers covid-19 south africa, mental health. |
| url | https://curationis.org.za/index.php/curationis/article/view/2477 |
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