Risk perception and psychological state of healthcare workers in referral hospitals during the early phase of the COVID‑19 pandemic, Uganda
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC psychology
Abstract
Safeguarding the psychological well-being of healthcare workers (HCWs) is crucial to ensuring sustainability
and quality of healthcare services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HCWs may be subject to excessive mental
stress. We assessed the risk perception and immediate psychological state of HCWs early in the pandemic in referral
hospitals involved in the management of COVID-19 patients in Uganda.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in five referral hospitals from April 20–May 22, 2020. During this
time, we distributed paper-based, self-administered questionnaires to all consenting HCWs on day shifts. The questionnaire
included questions on socio-demographics, occupational behaviors, potential perceived risks, and psychological
distress. We assessed risk perception towards COVID-19 using 27 concern statements with a four-point Likert
scale. We defined psychological distress as a total score > 12 from the 12-item Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire
(GHQ-12). We used modified Poisson regression to identify factors associated with psychological distress.
Results: Among 335 HCWs who received questionnaires, 328 (98%) responded. Respondents’ mean age was 36
(range 18–59) years; 172 (52%) were male. The median duration of professional experience was eight (range 1–35)
years; 208 (63%) worked more than 40 h per week; 116 (35%) were nurses, 52 (14%) doctors, 30 (9%) clinical officers,
and 86 (26%) support staff. One hundred and forty-four (44%) had a GHQ-12 score > 12. The most common concerns
reported included fear of infection at the workplace (81%), stigma from colleagues (79%), lack of workplace support
(63%), and inadequate availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) (56%). In multivariable analysis, moderate
(adjusted prevalence ratio, [aPR] = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–4.0) and high (aPR = 3.8, 95% CI 2.0–7.0) risk
perception towards COVID-19 (compared with low-risk perception) were associated with psychological distress.
Conclusions: Forty-four percent of HCWs surveyed in hospitals treating COVID-19 patients during the early COVID-
19 epidemic in Uganda reported psychological distress related to fear of infection, stigma, and inadequate PPE.
Higher perceived personal risk towards COVID-19 was associated with increased psychological distress. To optimize
Description
Keywords
healthcare workers, COVID-19, Patients, Uganda
Citation
Migisha, R., Ario, A. R., Kwesiga, B., Bulage, L., Kadobera, D., Kabwama, S. N., ... & Fitzmaurice, A. G. (2021). Risk perception and psychological state of healthcare workers in referral hospitals during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, Uganda. BMC psychology, 9(1), 1-9.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00706-3