Anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

In this study, we examined the level of anxiety and depression, daytime sleepiness, and sleep quality in healthcare workers working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study was conducted in a tertiary care university hospital. Socio-demographic information form, Beck Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Scale, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale were used as data collection tools.

A total of 273 healthcare workers were recruited into the study. It was determined that there is an enormous mental health burden on healthcare workers. About 100% and 45.4% of the participants got above-threshold scores from Beck Anxiety Scale, and Beck Depression Scale, and the prevalence of daytime sleepiness and impaired sleep quality was 11.4% and 38.8%, respectively. The female gender was found to have more severe anxiety levels and lower sleep quality (p<0.001). In logistic regression analysis, the female gender was a risk factor for having a level of severe anxiety, and the nursing profession was a risk factor for having severe anxiety and low sleep quality (p<0.05).

Global serious outbreaks cause increased depression and anxiety levels and sleep disorders in healthcare workers. Therefore, we believe that trainings and support which aims to strengthen the psychological well-being of healthcare workers should be implemented.