Exploring Risk Perception, Mental Health, Mental Fatigue, Stigma, and the Quality of Life among UAE Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Multicentric Cross-Sectional Study

Yousef M. Aljawarneh (), Nariman Ghader, Ahmad M. Al-Bashaireh, Heyam F. Dalky, Hasan Al-Omari, Osama Alkouri, Sarah R. Sanad, Noor Al Mheiri, Aji Gopakumar, Sara AlShaya, Gregory L. Blatch and Hana Y. Ghunaim
Additional contact information
Yousef M. Aljawarneh: School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 25026, United Arab Emirates
Nariman Ghader: Department of Mental Health, Medical Services Sector, Emirates Health Services, Dubai P.O. Box 2299, United Arab Emirates
Ahmad M. Al-Bashaireh: School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 25026, United Arab Emirates
Heyam F. Dalky: Department of Community and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, WHO Collaborating Center, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
Hasan Al-Omari: Department of Community and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, The Hashemite University, Zarqa P.O. Box 13115, Jordan
Osama Alkouri: Faculty of Nursing, Yarmouk University, Irbid P.O. Box 566, Jordan
Sarah R. Sanad: School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 25026, United Arab Emirates
Noor Al Mheiri: Department of Mental Health, Medical Services Sector, Emirates Health Services, Dubai P.O. Box 2299, United Arab Emirates
Aji Gopakumar: Data and Statistics Department (DSD), Emirates Health Services (EHS), Dubai P.O. Box 2299, United Arab Emirates
Sara AlShaya: Data and Statistics Department (DSD), Emirates Health Services (EHS), Dubai P.O. Box 2299, United Arab Emirates
Gregory L. Blatch: The Vice Chancellery, The University of Notre Dame Australia, P.O. Box 1225, Fremantle, WA 6959, Australia
Hana Y. Ghunaim: Fatima College of Health Sciences, Institute of Applied Technology, Al Ain P.O. Box 24162, United Arab Emirates

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 9, 1-22

Abstract: Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented serious mental health challenges for healthcare professionals. This study investigated the mental health, mental fatigue, quality of life, and stigma of social discrimination among healthcare workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. A correlational, cross-sectional, multi-centric design was employed to collect data from 1383 healthcare workers across various healthcare settings. Participants were recruited using combined cluster and purposive sampling techniques. Standardized questionnaires, including the COVID-19 Pandemic Mental Health Questionnaire (CoPaQ), the Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS), the Social Discrimination Scale-Stigma Subscale (SDS), and the WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF), were administered to assess the study variables. The results indicated significant mental health impacts, with high average scores for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (9.37 ± 6.74) and positive coping by inner strengths (17.63 ± 5.72). Mental fatigue was prevalent (8.15 ± 8.62), and stigma of social discrimination scored notably (23.83 ± 7.46). Quality of life was the highest in the social domain (65.38 ± 24.58). Significant correlations were observed between mental health subscales, mental fatigue, and quality of life domains. These findings highlight the critical need for targeted mental health support programs, improved social support networks, and personalized interventions to mitigate the mental health challenges faced by healthcare workers. Healthcare organizations can guarantee a resilient workforce that can handle future health crises by giving mental health resources and support systems top priority.

Keywords: COVID-19; healthcare workers; mental fatigue; mental health; psychological impact; quality of life; risk perception; stigma; United Arab Emirates (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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