Abstract:
Background: The upsurge of COVID-19 has caused numerous psycho-social challenges for healthcare professionals
because of its ability to spread rapidly in the community and high mortality rate. The seriousness of the disease has
led many healthcare professionals plagued by stigma as well as discrimination. In this study, depressive symptomatol ogy, levels of anxiety, and related psychosocial and occupational factors experienced by healthcare professionals in Sri
Lanka during COVID -19 were investigated.
Methods: A total of 512 healthcare professionals were surveyed using an online survey. The Generalized Anxiety
Disorder 7-item scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised-10, and psychosocial and occu pational factors predictive of depression and anxiety were included in the survey questionnaire. Logistic regression
determined the factors associated with the presence of depressive symptoms and anxiety.
Results: Results showed that elevated depressive symptoms and anxiety were experienced by 53.3% and 51.3%,
respectively, of the participants. No diferences in the prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms and anxiety were
found between those who were exposed and non-exposed to COVID-19 confrmed or suspected patients. Having
a fear of being infected with COVID-19 and spreading it among family members were associated with increased
risk of depression. Among those exposed to COVID-19 confrmed or suspected patients, poor occupational safety
(OR=2.06, 95% CI 1.25–3.39), stigmatization (OR=2.19, 95% CI 1.29–3.72), and heavy workload (OR=2.45, 95%
CI 1.53–3.92) were associated with increased risk of elevated depressive symptoms, whilst poor self-confdence
(OR=2.53, 95% CI 1.56–4.09) and heavy workload (OR=1.94. 95% CI 1.22–3.12) were associated with increased risk of
anxiety.
Conclusions: Fear of being infected and distress caused by fear of spreading it among family members, stigmatiza tion, poor self-confdence, poor occupational safety and heavy workload are vital risk factors that need to be consid ered in future psychological support services designed for the healthcare professionals in unprecedented outbreaks
like COVID-19.