Factors associated with worsened mental health conditions of healthcare workers in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic (Preprint)

Abstract

Health Care Workers (HCWs) have endured difficult conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we examine the mental health conditions of HCWs and assess the factors associated with worsened mental health, as compared to before the start of the pandemic.

We consider the association between demographic and occupational factors as well as the access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), with HCWs’ mental health.

We employ recent data from Statistics Canada. We used a regression model to estimate the odds ratios (OR) of feeling worse after the start of the pandemic.

HCWs that are younger than 35 years old were more likely (OR = 1.14) to feel worse. Male HCWs were less likely (OR = 0.76) to feel worse. Immigrant HCWs were also less likely (OR = 0.57) to feel worse. Further, HCWs working in Alberta had the highest likelihood of feeling worse. Frontline workers were more likely (OR = 1.26) to feel worse. Part-time HCWs were less likely (OR = 0.85) to feel worse. HCWs that reported encountering COVID-19 cases were more likely (OR = 1.55) to feel worse. As for PPEs, HCWs that never had access to respirators, eye protection, and face shields are more likely to feel worse by 1.31, 1.51, and 1.41, respectively. These likelihoods are compared to the reference group.

Different HCW groups experienced the pandemic differently based on their demographic and occupational backgrounds as well as access to PPEs. Such findings are important to stakeholders involved in the design and planning of support programs and to aid mental health improvement.