Effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the mental health, daily and occupational activities of otolaryngologists and allergists in Colombia: a national study

• Published in: International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology Vol. 11; no. 11; pp. 1599 - 1603
• Main Authors: Pérez‐Herrera, Lucia C., Moreno‐López, Sergio, Peñaranda, Daniel, Pérez‐García, Irene C., García, Elizabeth, Corredor‐Rojas, Gloria, Chapman, Edgardo, Peñaranda, Augusto
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.11.2021; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: allergists; anxiety; COVID-19; depression; otolaryngologists; Pandemics; prevalence; Research Note; Research Notes; stress
• ISSN: 2042-6976; 2042-6984
• DOI: 10.1002/alr.22831

INTRODUCTION Healthcare specialists with higher rates of infection have higher occupational stress levels and risk of psychological symptoms.1 Particularly, otolaryngologists who perform aerosol-generating procedures and allergists who are frequently exposed to respiratory diseases.2, 3 This study aimed to describe the prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as the changes in daily activities, among otolaryngologists and allergists during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Colombia. Anonymous online validated mental health questionnaires were applied to determine the frequency of anxiety, depression, and stress: the Generalized Anxiety Disorder−7 (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), respectively. Exclusion criteria were as follows: prior diagnosis of mental health disorders, and any acute/chronic condition limiting their ability to answer. The National Mental Health Survey from Colombia reported a prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders of 7.7% to 10.1% in adult populations.9 The prevalence of depression and anxiety in the general population has significantly raised worldwide due to the