Abstract
Abstract
Background
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers is gaining attention globally. This study assessed the quality-of-working life (QoWL) and prevalence of, and risk factors for anxiety, depression and stress among South African pharmacists.
Methods
An online survey, after stratification by province, was sent to 3435 (target = 2454) randomly selected pharmacists between 14 April to 18 May 2021. Sociodemographic data were collected and mental health was assessed using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale and a modified Work-Related Quality-of-Life tool. Prevalence of anxiety, depression, stress and QoWL was estimated. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with mental health outcomes.
Results
A total of 953/2454 pharmacists (38.8%) responded. Of these, 56.5% were 40 years or younger, 78.5% were female, 45.4% were White race and 44.5% were practicing in a community pharmacy setting. Pharmacists demonstrated symptoms of anxiety (n = 605, 66.1%), depression (n = 561, 62.9%), stress (n = 642, 73.8%) and low QoWL (n = 409, 51.3%). Significant risk factors (aOR; 95%CI) for anxiety, depression and stress were female gender (1.96;1.36–2.83,1.84;1.27–2.67,1.58;1.05–2.38, history of mental health conditions (2.50; 1.52–4.13, 3.68; 2.19–6.19, 3.34;1.85–6.03) and significant COVID-19 mitigation changes to pharmacy practice (2.70; 1.36–5.38, 4.23; 2.06–8.70, 3.14;1.44–6.82), respectively. Practice changes were also associated with a low QoWL (5.19; 2.40–11.8). Compared to their Black/African colleagues, Indian pharmacists were at higher risk for anxiety (1.82; 1.03–3.23) and stress symptoms (2.28; 1.21–4.32), while risk for depression was significant amongst White pharmacists (1.86; 1.05–3.32). Pharmacists living apart from family were at significant risk for anxiety (1.66; 1.15–2.41), depression (1.52; 1.06–2.18) and low QoWL (1.60; 1.10–2.34).
Conclusions
COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant negative impact on the mental health of South African pharmacists. Interventions to support the psychological well-being and improve QoWL of pharmacists are needed.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Reference63 articles.
1. National Institute for Communicable Diseases. First case of COVID-19 announced—an update [Internet]. 2020 (accessed 2021 Jan 13). Available from: https://www.nicd.ac.za/first-case-of-covid-19-announced-an-update/.
2. SAnew.gov. President Ramaphosa announces a nationwide lockdown [Internet]. 2020 (accessed 2021 Feb 1). Available from: https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/president-ramaphosa-announces-nationwide-lockdown.
3. Roldan de Jong T. Perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines in South Africa, Rapid Review. Brighton: Social Science in Humanitarian Action (SSHAP). 2021.
4. South African Department of Health. Update on Covid-19 (Tuesday 07 December 2021) [Internet]. 2021 (accessed 2021 Dec 8). Available from: https://sacoronavirus.co.za/2021/12/07/update-on-covid-19-tuesday-07-december-2021/.
5. Robertson LJ, Maposa I, Somaroo H, Johnson O. Mental health of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak: a rapid scoping review to inform provincial guidelines in South Africa. South African Med J. 2020;110(10):1010.
Cited by
3 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献