Healthcare Professionals’ Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Survey Assessing Quality of Life, Mental Health, and Work-Life-Balance

Abstract

Objectives: The main objective of this research was to investigate the Work-life balance (WLB), mental health, and quality of life and their associated factors among Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) in Sudan during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2021.Methods: An observational cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted during August-December 2021 among a sample of 430 HCPs working in the hospitals of four Sudanese states. The study used the WHOQoLBREF scale, Work-Life Balance Scale, and General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7).Results: HCPs reporting a poor quality of life made up 33.5% (95% CI 29.1–38.0), while those reporting worse WLB made up 52.6% (95% CI 47.8–57.2). HCPs reporting moderate to severe anxiety symptoms accounted for 35.8% (95% CI 31.4–40.5). The Multiple Regression model indicated that an increase in the anxiety scores is associated with a decrease in Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) (β= 0.831, p < 0.05). Female HCPs exhibited 4.53-fold lower HRQoL scores than their male colleagues (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Approximately one-third of the HCPs in Sudan reported low HRQoL and suffered from moderate to severe anxiety, while a large portion of them had an unequal work-life balance during COVID-19. Health policies addressing these factors are needed to improve the quality of health of HCPs.