The Magnitude of Psychological Distress Among Interns During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicentric Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.13062022807

Keywords:

Interns, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, COVID-19

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 has raised serious concerns about the wellbeing of frontline health care workers. Healthcare staff are at increased risk of psychological health problems when dealing with challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the healthcare professionals, the most commonly affected are those working on the frontline, who are the first to come in contact with the patients.

Objectives: To determine the levels of depression, anxiety and stress among interns during COVID-19 pandemic, and, to assess the factors affecting mental health of the interns during COVID-19 pandemic.

Methodology: This was a web-based multicentric cross-sectional study conducted among interns of various tertiary care teaching hospitals providing COVID care services, during July – August 2021. Data was collected using a self-administered online questionnaire based on the standard DASS-21 scale that assessed the various domains of psychological distress.

Result: Among the study subjects 46% suffered with all three psychological domains like depression, anxiety and stress, 15% had only anxiety, around 10% had anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic while 22.5% had no psychological problems.

Conclusions: Significant proportions of interns were suffering from depression, anxiety and stress. Fear of COVID-19, long working hours, usage of PPE, COVID vaccination status, and COVID-19 infection status were identified as potential predictors of psychological distress.

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Published

2022-06-30

How to Cite

1.
Valluri V, Pidakala MM, Karanati K, Oberoi S, Dalli TKR. The Magnitude of Psychological Distress Among Interns During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicentric Cross-Sectional Study. Natl J Community Med [Internet]. 2022 Jun. 30 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];13(06):391-5. Available from: https://www.njcmindia.com/index.php/file/article/view/807

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Original Research Articles