RESULTS
From 20th April to 5th May 2020, 252 hospital staff completed the questionnaire. Nursing (35%) and administrative staff (22%) made up the largest proportion of the cohort followed by medical staff(15%).
HCW mental health has significantly deteriorated since the onset of Covid-19. 46.6% reporting their mood has worsened. HCWs reported significant levels of A&D with 20.3% having moderate to severe depression and 21.0% having moderate to severe anxiety(Table 1). A&D scores significantly varies with age(Table 2), with higher scores in younger age groups(GAD-7 9.00vs1.00;p=0.000, PHQ-9 9.00.vs.0.5;p=0.0001). Anxiety scores were higher in women but depression scores were similar between genders (GAD-7 5.00vs.2.00; p=0.027; PHQ-9 4.00vs.3.00;p=0.144). A&D scores were higher amongst administrative staff than medical staff(GAD-7 7.00vs.3.00,p=0.001; PHQ-9 6.00vs.2.00,p=0.010)(Table 2).
When questioned on social isolation, 44%(112/252) of staff reported loneliness, 35%(88/252) felt low due to limitation of activities, 44%(110/252) felt low from being separated from their families. Tensions at home were reported by healthcare workers, with 13.5%(34/252) reporting tensions with their partner and 19%(48/252) reporting tensions with other household members including children.