Prevalence of psychological outcomes and its associated factors in healthcare personnel working during COVID-19 outbreak in India.

Background: Care of COVID-19 patients has been shown to affect the mental health of healthcare personnel (HCP), however, there is little data reflecting psychological health of HCP in India.

Aims: The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of psychological outcomes and its association with various sociodemographic and occupational factors among the HCP in India.

Methodology: A cross-sectional, online survey, using snowball sampling method was conducted between June 1, 2020, and June 22, 2020. The HCP working in COVID-19 designated hospitals across India were invited to participate. Patient Health Questionnaire-4 and 19-item stress-related questionnaire were used to evaluate symptoms of overall anxiety, depression, COVID-19 infection specific anxiety, exhaustion, and workload.

Results: In this cross-sectional study with 2334 HCP from 27 states and 7 union territories of India; 17.9% of participants had depression, 18.7% had overall anxiety, 26.5% had exhaustion, 30.3% reported heavy workload, and 25.4% had COVID-19 infection-specific anxiety, respectively. The HCP working in states with higher caseload was a common risk factor for overall anxiety (odds ratio [OR], 1.7; P < 0.001), depression (OR, 1.6; P < 0.001), COVID-19 infection-specific anxiety (OR, 2.5; P < 0.001), exhaustion (OR, 3.1; P < 0.001), and heavy workload (OR, 2.6; P < 0.001). Nurses were more at risk for depression (OR, 2.2; P < 0.001), anxiety specific to COVID-19 infection (OR, 1.3; P = 0.034), and heavy workload (OR, 2.9; P < 0.001); while doctors were more at risk for overall anxiety (OR, 2.0; P = 0.001) and exhaustion (OR, 3.1; P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Frontline workers, specifically nurses and doctors, and those working in states with high COVID-19 caseload are more at risk for adverse psychological outcomes. The relatively less prevalence compared with other countries, is perhaps a reflection of measures undertaken, including early lockdown, ensuring better all-round preparedness and social norms.