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Abstract
Background: An outbreak of a mysterious pneumonia occurred in late December, 2019 which was characterized by fever, dry cough, fatigue, and with occasional gastrointestinal symptoms. It was epidemiologically associated with a seafood and animal market, the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, in Wuhan, Hubei, China. The mortality rate caused by the virus was around 10%–15%. The first COVID-19 cases in Nigeria and the FCT were confirmed on the 27th of February and 20th of March 2020 respectively. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged healthcare professionals’ stamina and wellbeing and also healthcare facilities itself. This study aimed to examines the magnitude of the of the effect of psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers from March, 2020 to October, 2021 the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic.
The methodology of this study is a prospective retrospective study. A sample size total of 385 healthcare workers participated following a questionnaire on Covid-19 administered to community and health workers in both Tertiary and secondary Health facility. Depression, Anxiety/Nervous that nothing could calm them down, worried that they or someone in their immediate family may become seriously ill or Worried on having what to eat next week and how worried are they about their household finances in the next coming/subsequent week(s) and those excluded following pre-existing mental health conditions. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.
Results
The result from health care workers sampled in both tertiary and secondary health facilities in FCT showed that 116 (30.1%) of the health workers were between the age of 25 and 34 years while 35 (9.1%) were in the age bracket of 55 to 64 years. The number of male HCWs was 132 (34.3 %) and 234 (63.8%) were female. Male: Female was 1:1.8. Also, not less than half (50.9%) of the health workers reported to be staying in FCT Metropolis (town) while 139 (36.1%) reported to be staying in the (out skirt of Abuja) city clusters of FCT. Moreover, 335 (87%) were staying in urban area of FCT while 31(8.1%) were in the rural area. The psychological impact of COVID-19 on health care workers is considerably very significantly of very high levels of depression, anxiety, how worried the health workers were about having enough to eat next week and how worried respondents were about household finances. The result reveal that77,4% were depressed,31.9% were nervous ,54.3% were worried about what they will eat next week and 66% were worried about their household finances.
Conclusion
The study demonstrated a very considerable impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of healthcare providers. A well-structured targeted mental health support programme from the government, community families and friends is required to support and reduce the long-term impact of this psychological impact of SARS COV 2.
Author Bio : Christiana Samuel Kwabe, M.B.B.S(University of Maiduguri, Nigeria ); MPH(ABU,Zaria, Nigeria ); Ph.D (Central Nicaragua). Worked for Twenty one years as a Medical practitioner with Federal Capital Territory Administration (F.C.T.A), Abuja. Now as a Public Health Practitioner with FCT-PHCB as Child Health and Adolescent Health Coordinator. Lives in FCT,Abuja with her husband Samuel Kwabe and four children.
