Anxiety and depression symptoms among healthcare workers in China after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic eased: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic could lead to an increase in mental health problems among a range of populations, including healthcare workers involved in the pandemic. However, little is known about the lasting health effects of the pandemic after the epidemic eased. The current study was designed to investigate anxiety and depression symptoms and related predictive factors among healthcare workers in China immediately after the epidemic and lockdown eased. A total of 459 healthcare workers in the COVID-19 designated hospital (59.9% females; a mean age of 36.7 ± 9.6) completed an online survey from 14 to 23 April, 2020. The survey instruments were comprised of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and a questionnaire assessing pandemic-related stressors and mental health needs during the pandemic. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify potential predictors of mental health outcomes. The prevalence of probable anxiety and depression were 4.8% and 12.4%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analyses indicated that gender (OR (95% CI) = 0.26 (0.08–0.83), P < .05), mental health needs during the pandemic (OR (95% CI) = 3.06 (1.15–8.14), P < .05) and PSSS scores (OR (95% CI) = 0.93 (0.90–0.96), P < .05)were independently, and significantly associated with anxiety, while other diseases during the epidemic (OR (95% CI) = 3.47 (1.38–8.68), P < .05), mental health needs during the pandemic (OR (95% CI) = 2.89 (1.49–5.61), P < .05), and PSSS scores (OR (95% CI) = 0.94 (0.92–0.96), P < .05) were significant predictors of depression. Although the prevalence of anxiety and depression decreased among healthcare workers in China following the epidemic, further attention should be paid to the lasting effects of the epidemic on depression symptoms after the epidemic eased among this population.