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Ripoll J, Chela-Alvarez X, Briones-Vozmediano E, Fiol de-Roque MA, Zamanillo-Campos R, Ricci-Cabello I, Llobera J, Calafat-Villalonga C, Serrano-Ripoll MJ. Impact of COVID-19 on mental health of health care workers in Spain: a mix-methods study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:463. [PMID: 38355471 PMCID: PMC10865523 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17979-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spain's lockdown measures couldn't prevent the severe impact of the COVID-19 first wave, leading to high infections, deaths, and strain on healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to explore the mental health impact on HCWs in the Balearic Islands during the initial months of the pandemic, the influencing factors, and the experiences of those in a COVID-19 environment. METHODS Using a mixed-methods approach, the study encompassed quantitative and qualitative elements. Cross-sectional survey data from April to June 2020 comprised HCWs who were emailed invitations. The survey covered demographics, work, clinical and COVID-19 variables, along with psychological distress and PTSD symptoms, using validated measures. Additionally, semi-structured interviews with HCWs offered qualitative insights. RESULTS Three hundred thirty-six HCWs averaging 46.8 years, mainly women (79.2%), primarily nurses in primary care with over 10 years of experience. Anxiety symptoms were reported by 28.8%, 65.1% noted worsened sleep quality, and 27.7% increased psychoactive drug usage. Psychological distress affected 55.2%, while 27.9% exhibited PTSD symptoms. Gender, age, experience, COVID-19 patient contact, and workload correlated with distress, PTSD symptoms, sleep quality, and psychoactive drug usage. Interviews uncovered discomfort sources, such as fear of infection and lack of control, leading to coping strategies like information avoidance and seeking support. LIMITATIONS Static cross-sectional design, non-probabilistic sample, and telephone interviews affecting non-verbal cues, with interviews conducted during early pandemic lockdown. CONCLUSIONS HCWs faced significant psychological distress during the pandemic's first wave, underscoring the necessity for robust support and resources to counteract its impact on mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Ripoll
- Primary Care Research Unit of Mallorca, Palma, 07002, Spain
- Grup de Recerca Atenció Primària i Promoció (GRAPP-caIB) Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Ctra. Valldemossa, Hospital Universitari Son Espases 79, Palma, 07120, Spain
- Research Network On Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Palma, 07120, Spain
| | - X Chela-Alvarez
- Primary Care Research Unit of Mallorca, Palma, 07002, Spain.
- Grup de Recerca Atenció Primària i Promoció (GRAPP-caIB) Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Ctra. Valldemossa, Hospital Universitari Son Espases 79, Palma, 07120, Spain.
- Research Network On Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Palma, 07120, Spain.
| | - E Briones-Vozmediano
- Departamento de Enfermería y Fisioterapia Grupo de estudios en sociedad, salud, educación y cultura (GESEC), Universidad de Lleida.Grup de Recerca en Cures en Salut (GRECS), Institut de Recerca Biomèdica (IRB) de Lleida, Lleida, 25001, Spain
| | - M A Fiol de-Roque
- Primary Care Research Unit of Mallorca, Palma, 07002, Spain
- Grup de Recerca Atenció Primària i Promoció (GRAPP-caIB) Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Ctra. Valldemossa, Hospital Universitari Son Espases 79, Palma, 07120, Spain
- Research Network On Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Palma, 07120, Spain
| | - R Zamanillo-Campos
- Primary Care Research Unit of Mallorca, Palma, 07002, Spain
- Grup de Recerca Atenció Primària i Promoció (GRAPP-caIB) Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Ctra. Valldemossa, Hospital Universitari Son Espases 79, Palma, 07120, Spain
| | - I Ricci-Cabello
- Primary Care Research Unit of Mallorca, Palma, 07002, Spain
- Grup de Recerca Atenció Primària i Promoció (GRAPP-caIB) Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Ctra. Valldemossa, Hospital Universitari Son Espases 79, Palma, 07120, Spain
- Research Network On Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Palma, 07120, Spain
| | - J Llobera
- Primary Care Research Unit of Mallorca, Palma, 07002, Spain
- Grup de Recerca Atenció Primària i Promoció (GRAPP-caIB) Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Ctra. Valldemossa, Hospital Universitari Son Espases 79, Palma, 07120, Spain
- Research Network On Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Palma, 07120, Spain
| | - C Calafat-Villalonga
- Department of Psychology, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, 07122, Spain
| | - M J Serrano-Ripoll
- Primary Care Research Unit of Mallorca, Palma, 07002, Spain
- Grup de Recerca Atenció Primària i Promoció (GRAPP-caIB) Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Ctra. Valldemossa, Hospital Universitari Son Espases 79, Palma, 07120, Spain
- Research Network On Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Palma, 07120, Spain
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