Prevalence of Stress in Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Northeast Mexico: A Remote, Fast Survey Evaluation, Using an Adapted COVID-19 Stress Scales

Juan Luis Delgado-Gallegos, Rene de Jesús Montemayor-Garza, Gerardo R. Padilla-Rivas, Héctor Franco-Villareal and Jose Francisco Islas
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Juan Luis Delgado-Gallegos: Departamento de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Avenida Dr. Eduardo Aguirre Pequeño, Col. Mitras Centro, Monterrey, NL 64460, Mexico
Rene de Jesús Montemayor-Garza: Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar, Clínica Psiquiátrica Dr. Everardo Neumann Peña, Carr Matehuala 8, Fracción los Olivos, Soledad de Graciano Sánchez, SLP 78430, Mexico
Gerardo R. Padilla-Rivas: Departamento de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Avenida Dr. Eduardo Aguirre Pequeño, Col. Mitras Centro, Monterrey, NL 64460, Mexico
Héctor Franco-Villareal: Althian Clinical Research, Calle Capitán Aguilar Sur 669, Col. Obispado Monterrey, NL 64000, Mexico
Jose Francisco Islas: Departamento de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Avenida Dr. Eduardo Aguirre Pequeño, Col. Mitras Centro, Monterrey, NL 64460, Mexico

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-12

Abstract: The world is currently subjected to the worst health crisis documented in modern history: an epidemic led by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). At the epicenter of this crisis, healthcare professionals continue working to safeguard our well-being. To the regular high levels of stress, COVID-19 adds even more so to healthcare professionals in particular, depending on their area, specialty, and type of work. Here we investigated what are the tendencies or areas most affected. Through an adaptation of the original COVID-stress scales, we developed a remote, fast test designed for healthcare professionals in the northeastern part of Mexico, an important part of the country with economic and cultural ties to the United States. Our results showed four key correlations as highly dependent: work area–xenophobia ( p < 0.045), work with COVID patients–traumatic stress ( p < 0.001), total number of COVID patients per day–traumatic stress ( p < 0.027), and total number of COVID patients–compulsive checking and reassurance. Overall, we concluded that normal levels of stress have increased (mild–moderate). Additionally, we determine that the fear of being an asymptomatic patient (potential to spread without knowing) continues being a concern.

Keywords: COVID-19 Mexico; stress in healthcare professionals; COVID-19 stress scales (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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