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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dc.contributor.authorMigisha, Richard
dc.contributor.authorRiolexus, Alex A.
dc.contributor.authorKwesiga, Benon
dc.contributor.authorBulage, Lilian
dc.contributor.authorKadobera, Daniel
dc.contributor.authorKabwama, Steven N.
dc.contributor.authorKatana, Elizabeth
dc.contributor.authorNdyabakira, Alex
dc.contributor.authorWadunde, Ignatius
dc.contributor.authorByaruhanga, Aggrey
dc.contributor.authorAmanya, Geofrey
dc.contributor.authorHarris, Julie R.
dc.contributor.authorFitzmaurice, Arthur G.
dc.date.accessioned2022-11-30T23:18:25Z
dc.date.available2022-11-30T23:18:25Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractSafeguarding 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 optimizeen_US
dc.identifier.citationMigisha, 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/s40359-021-00706-3en_US
dc.identifier.otherhttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00706-3
dc.identifier.urihttps://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/5599
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherBMC psychologyen_US
dc.subjecthealthcare workersen_US
dc.subjectCOVID-19en_US
dc.subjectPatientsen_US
dc.subjectUgandaen_US
dc.titleRisk perception and psychological state of healthcare workers in referral hospitals during the early phase of the COVID‑19 pandemic, Ugandaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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