MMSL 2023, 92(2):174-183 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2022.040

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG HEALTH WORKERS IN SAUDI ARABIAOriginal article

Durrah Alsallal ORCID..., Najla Alshabanat ORCID..., Nourah Alwahhabi, Sireen Shilbayeh ORCID...*
College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: During coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, workers in the healthcare sector are experiencing high workload, making them susceptible to psychological illness.Purpose: This study aimed to explore the influence of COVID-19 outbreak on the depressive symptoms and quality of life among health workers (HWs) in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the psychological impact and quality of life were assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Quality-of-Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q).

Results: A total of 151 HWs participated in the study, from which 80 participants completed the survey (response rate: 53%). Females (85.5%) were predominantly higher than males (14.5%). Minimal to mild depressive symptoms were observed in about 47%, whereas only 11.25% of health workers had severe depressive symptoms. Females had lower PHQ-9 scores compared to males. The occurrence of moderately severe to severe depression in medical HWs was more than two folds compared to non-medical workers (26.5% and 12.9%, respectively). Around 73% of HWs had a Q-LES-Q score above 50%, which indicates moderate to high quality of life. The younger participants had a lower quality of life. Similar scores of Q-LES-Q were reported in both females and males.

Conclusion: Throughout the pandemics, mental status and quality of life of workers in the healthcare sector can be affected. During COVID-19 outbreak, moderately severe to severe depressive symptoms were seen in 21.3% of HWs in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, 27.5% had lower quality of life. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine variable changes over time. Recognizing the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic can guide policymakers to tailor interventions that support the most vulnerable workers.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; PHQ-9; Q-LES-Q; Depression; Quality of life; Health workers

Received: June 18, 2022; Revised: August 14, 2022; Accepted: August 24, 2022; Prepublished online: January 4, 2023; Published: June 2, 2023  Show citation

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Alsallal, D., Alshabanat, N., Alwahhabi, N., & Shilbayeh, S. (2023). THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG HEALTH WORKERS IN SAUDI ARABIA. MMSL, 92(2), 174-183. doi: 10.31482/mmsl.2022.040
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