The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Workers at the Primary Level in the Greater Accra Region

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on lives and livelihoods since its outbreak in the health sector. Health workers in Ghana have been at increased risk of contracting the virus due to their close contact with infected patients and some have become ill or died as a result, placing a significant mental and emotional burden on healthcare workers in Ghana.

Objectives: This study examines the psychological impact of COVID-19 on primary healthcare workers in the Greater Accra Region.

Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional design. Data were collected using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item (GAD-7) scale, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Impact Event Scale 6 (IES-R) to evaluate the mental health conditions of 97 healthcare workers providing healthcare services in health centres and health posts (called CHPS zones) in the Greater Accra Region. Results were presented using Frequencies, Percentages, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Results: Overall, the majority of health workers were depressed (71.1%) in relation to COVID-19. 59.8% and 50.6% had psychological stress and anxiety respectively at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Family avoidance, alcohol, and role (CHO, public health nurse and other categories) were significantly associated with anxiety, depression, and stress in health workers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion: Generally, approximately half of the workers at the primary levels felt depressed, anxious, or felt stressed about COVID-19. Family avoidance, alcohol and role (CHO, public health nurse and other categories) were significantly associated with anxiety, depression and stress in health workers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a need for the health system to recognize the presence of these adverse psychological effects in primary health workers and take pragmatic steps to address them.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, Health workers, Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Psychological impact, Ghana Health Service.

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/112-01

Publication date: December 31^st 2023