The Mental Health of Malaysia’s Northwest Healthcare Workers during the Relaxation of COVID-19 Restrictions and Its Associated Factors

Syazwan Nordin, Nor Azwany Yaacob, Johny Kelak, Ahmad Hazri Ilyas and Aziah Daud
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Syazwan Nordin: Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
Nor Azwany Yaacob: Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
Johny Kelak: Ministry of Health State Department, Alor Setar 05400, Kedah, Malaysia
Ahmad Hazri Ilyas: Ministry of Health State Department, Alor Setar 05400, Kedah, Malaysia
Aziah Daud: Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-10

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people in many ways, including mental health status. Depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) are terms often used to describe mental health status worldwide. The present study describes the prevalence of DAS and its associated factors among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the northwest region of Malaysia, during the early phase of recovery of movement control order (RMCO), where some restrictions were lifted, and cases are reducing in number. This cross-sectional study used HCW’s mental health surveillance data using the DASS-21 questionnaire. A total of 981 data collected between 1 July and 31 August 2020 were randomly sampled. Socio-demographic factors, occupational characteristics, and health backgrounds were extracted and analyzed using multiple logistic regression. The prevalences of DAS are 8.4% (6.7, 10.3), 17.1% (14.8, 19.6), and 6.4% (5.0, 8.1), respectively. Age is significantly associated with depression (Adjusted Odd Ratio (Adj.OR) 0.96 (0.93, 0.99)) and stress (Adj.OR 0.96 (0.93, 0.997)). Working at the hospital is associated with depression (Adj.OR 1.88 (1.19, 2.97)) as well as anxiety (Adj.OR 1.91 (1.36, 2.68). HCWs with a degree or postgraduate education level are more stressed compared to those with lower educational levels (Adj.OR 8.43 (1.95, 36.37)). Mental health surveillance helps to identify those at risk. Those younger in age, working in hospitals, and with more responsibility in management are the most affected. With the easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which lead to the release of certain movement control, the mental health status of HCWs was less affected. Those working directly with COVID-19 patients and with more responsibility in management are the most affected.

Keywords: mental health; depression; anxiety; stress; healthcare workers; COVID-19 pandemic; Malaysia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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