High Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Psychological Distress Among Healthcare Workers in COVID-19 Field Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study from Vietnam

• Published in: Psychology research and behavior management Vol. 16; pp. 1663 - 1675
• Main Authors: Tran, Ha Thi Thu, Nguyen, Yen Hoang, Vuong, Thuy Dinh, Bui, Loi Van, Doan, Hue Thi, Le, Ha Thi Thu, Cong Le, Thien, Nguyen, Thai Quoc, Do, Son Ngoc, Nguyen, Phuong Doan, Luong, Chinh Quoc, Vu, Tung Son, Tran, Son Nam, Doan, Ngoc Bao, Hoang, Long Bao, Nguyen, Tuan Van
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2023; Dove; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Analysis; covid-19; dass; fear of covid; healthcare workers; Medical personnel; Mentally ill; Original Research; Post-traumatic stress disorder; psychological disturbances; ptsd; Surveys; Workers; Vietnam; COVID-19; PTSD; DASS; psychological disturbances; healthcare workers; fear of COVID
• ISSN: 1179-1578; 1179-1578
• DOI: 10.2147/PRBM.S407583

To evaluate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological disturbances in the Vietnamese healthcare workers (HCWs) at COVID-19 field hospitals. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) to measure PTSD and the Depression Anxiety Stress scale (DASS) to measure other psychological disturbances. The anxiety about COVID-19 was evaluated by the fear of COVID-19 (FOC) scale. A self-developed questionnaire was used to assess work conditions and HCW's major concerns and preparedness. Ordinal logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the severity of PTSD. A structural modeling equation (SEM) model was fitted to examine the correlation between PTSD and other psychological disturbances. A total of 542 HCWs participated in this study. The prevalence of PTSD was 21.2%, most cases were mild. In the ordinal logistic regression analysis, a history of mental illness, poor preparedness, working in a condition with poor resources, a greater number of concerns, and greater fear of COVID-19 were independently associated with higher severity of PTSD. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 46.8%, 38.3%, and 60.2, respectively. In the SEM model, PTSD and psychological disturbances had a strong correlation (standardized covariance 0.86). The prevalence of PTSD and other psychological disturbances was alarmingly high among HCWs who worked at COVID-19 field hospitals. The reported associated factors can be useful for policymakers and health authorities in the preparation for future pandemics.