Post-Covid-19 mental health issues in Obstetrics & Gynecology health care professionals of Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar

Abstract

Introduction: Pandemics and Epidemics are usually known for acute anxiety and even panic states, yet it has been documented that psychological effects remain in the post-pandemic period as well. These effects can impact not only the working capacity of individuals, but also their general and social wellbeing.

Objective: To assess the mental health in terms of anxiety and depression in health care professionals (HCP) who have recovered from COVID 19.

Materials & Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics & Gynecology of Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from March to August 2020 on 34 health care workers who had confirmed COVID 19 (positive PCR on nasopharyngeal swab) and recovered by repeat negative PCR on nasopharyngeal swab, had joined their duties, and were 3 months post-covid. Persons with prior mental health issues and on psychiatric medication were excluded. After permission from Hospital Ethical Board, informed consent for inclusion in the study was taken from subjects.  The Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), was filled by all subjects; they were categorized as either suffering from anxiety/depression or normal based on the inbuilt scoring system. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 for descriptive statistics.

Results: Anxiety and depression scores based on HADS questionnaire were calculated and following are the percentages of participants with borderline anxiety score (32.5%), abnormal anxiety score (23.4%), borderline depression score (26.5%), and abnormal depression scores (32.4%).

Conclusion: Post-covid mental health assessment is likely to reveal a sizeable number of health care workers showing long term effects of Covid-19, who could be candidates for rehabilitation psychotherapy.