Impact of Selected Sociodemographic and Clinical Parameters on Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Paramedics in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Kamil Piotr Marczewski, Magdalena Piegza, Alicja Zofia Gospodarczyk, Natalia Justyna Gospodarczyk and Krystyn Sosada
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Kamil Piotr Marczewski: Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-635 Katowice, Poland
Magdalena Piegza: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-635 Katowice, Poland
Alicja Zofia Gospodarczyk: Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-635 Katowice, Poland
Natalia Justyna Gospodarczyk: Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-635 Katowice, Poland
Krystyn Sosada: Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-635 Katowice, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 8, 1-11

Abstract: Introduction: The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which caused the outbreak of the pandemic declared by the World Health Organization (WHO, World Health Organization) on 11 March 2020, has resulted in the introduction of many restrictions worldwide to contain the rapidly spreading pathogen. A particularly vulnerable professional group are paramedics working in Emergency Medical Teams. Aim: The main aim of this study was to investigate the influence of selected sociodemographic and clinical parameters on anxiety and depression symptoms in paramedics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: The study involved 387 paramedics working in Medical Rescue Teams in Poland. The majority of respondents were male (72.35%). In order to achieve the aim of the study, an online diagnostic survey was conducted using a questionnaire of the author’s own design and standardized questionnaires: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and General Anxiety Disorders (GAD-7). Results: Significantly higher values were observed for all analysed scales in females compared to males. The main factors influencing the occurrence of anxiety and depression symptoms were gender, seniority at work, family relations, use of sleeping pills. Alcohol consumption increased in this professional group during the pandemic. Conclusions: Females and users of sleep medication who work in the emergency department during a pandemic are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety. A longer length of service and satisfying relationships with family are factors in reducing these symptoms. Paramedics who are in informal relationships and single manifest more emotional problems compared to those who are married. Increased alcohol consumption can be considered as a way of coping with stress. However, further studies in this professional group are needed to assess the further impact of the pandemic on psychiatric symptoms among emergency medical workers.

Keywords: COVID-19; pandemic; paramedics; anxiety; depression; sociodemographic factors (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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