Religious beliefs may play a role in the rejection and acceptance of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines. We aimed to explore attitudes of Islamic clerics toward receiving the COVID-19 vaccines in a semi-structured qualitative focus group study.

The clerics of members of the Union of Muslim Scholars of the Erbil branch were included through their representative in Iraqi Kurdistan in 2021.

This study found that both acceptance and non-acceptance focus groups approved of the existence and importance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The acceptance group intended to receive COVID-19 to protect themselves and tried to convince people to receive the vaccine. However, the non-acceptance focus group did not believe in the COVID-19 vaccine due to different reasons: (1) COVID-19 vaccines have been commercialized and politicized by the governments; (2) the government makes limitations for the people due to COVID-19; (3) making fake vaccine cards; and (4) several serious side effects of COVID-19 (death, etc.) and not receiving by health care workers. The acceptance group reported that some rumors are spread in our community and impact the public to not receive COVID-19 vaccines.

This study showed that some Islamic clerics have serious concerns about the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines.

To assess individual variation in anxiety, stress disorder, depression, insomnia, burnout, and resilience in health care workers (HCWs), 12 and 18 months after the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.

Prospective longitudinal study.

A total of 207 HCWs (74% female, 46% physicians, 44% nurses) answered; 50% scored over the cut-off for anxiety (GAD-7), 66% for PCL-C, 41% for depression (PHQ-9), 25% for ISI, and 15% started sleep inducers; 52% showed emotional exhaustion (EE), 68% detachment (DE), 39% professional efficacy (EF) at MBI; 27% completed the follow-up questionnaire 6 months later, showing a significant reduction in nearly all scores (GAD-7 median 11[5-15] vs 7[4-12] (P < 0.001); PCL-C 43[30-58] vs 37[24-50] (P < 0.05); PHQ-9 10[4-16] vs 6[3-12] (P < 0.001); ISI 10[4-15] vs 7[5-12](NS); MBI EE 25[16-35] vs 23 [15-31] (NS), DE 13[8-17] vs 12[8-17], EF 29[25-34] vs 30[25-34]. Living in a flat (OR 2.27 [1.10-4.81], high-intensity-of-care working (2.83 [1.15-7.16] increased risk of anxiety (GAD-7); age between 31-40 y (OR 2.8 [1.11-7.68], being a nurse (OR 3.56 [1.59-8.36] and high-intensity-of-care working (OR 8.43 [2.92-26.8] increased risk of pathological stress (PCL-C).

Nearly half of HCWs showed psychological distress, especially nurses, women, and the youngest. A mandatory job change, increasing intensity of care, working in a COVID-19 department, and being infected were negative factors; having a partner and living in a detached house were protective. Six months later, all the psychological domains showed individual improvement.

Physician mental health is critical during the recovery of natural and human-made disasters (NHDs), yet the accessibility of mental health resources to physicians has not been characterized. This study examined emergency medicine and trauma physician knowledge of and access to mental health resources in NHD settings.

The survey was electronically disseminated to the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Association of the Surgery of Trauma between February 4, 2020, and March 9, 2020. The 17-question survey assessed physician awareness and access to emergency preparedness resources at their institutions.

Of the responders, 86% (n = 229) were aware of written emergency response plans for their facility. While 31% were aware of the hospital’s mental health policies and resources outside of the emergency response plan, only 25% knew how to access these resources during and after NHDs. Finally, 10% reported the incorporation of mental health resources during institutional practice drills.

Physicians reported knowledge of emergency preparedness policies; however, significant gaps remain in physician knowledge and access to mental health resources NHD settings. As NHDs increase on a global scale, it is critical for health systems to ensure accessible infrastructure to support the mental well-being of health professionals.

The objective of this study was to identify the perceived problems by medical and nursing professionals that have arisen in the Spanish Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as a consequence of the first wave of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2/SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, as well as the measures or solutions adopted to manage those problems and improve response.

This was a cross-sectional study of quantitative and qualitative methodology (“mixed methods”) using a self-administered questionnaire in 23 key informants of EMS of Spain selected by purposeful sampling, followed by the statistical analysis of both types of variables and an integration of the results in the discussion.

Common problems had been identified in many EMS, as well as similar solutions in some of them. Among the former, the following had been found: lack of leadership and support from managers, initial shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), lack of participation in decision making, initial lack of clinical protocols, and slowness and/or lack of adaptability of the system, among others. Among the solutions adopted: reinforcement of emergency call centers, development of specific coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) telephone lines and new resources, personal effort of professionals, new functions of EMS, support to other structures, and reinforcement of the role of nursing.

The general perception among the respondents was that there was a lack of support and communication with health care managers and that the staff expertise was not used by policy makers to make decisions adapted to reality, also expressing the need to improve the capacity for analysis of the EMS response. Few respondents reported good overall satisfaction with their EMS response. The EMS adopted different types of measures to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The aim of this study is to ascertain the psychological impacts of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among the Pakistani health care workers (HCWs) and their coping strategies.

This web-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs (N = 398) from Punjab Province of Pakistan. The generalized anxiety scale (GAD-7), patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Brief-COPE were used to assess anxiety, depression, and coping strategies, respectively.

The average age of respondents was 28.67 years (SD = 4.15), with the majority being medical doctors (52%). Prevalences of anxiety and depression were 21.4% and 21.9%, respectively. There was no significant difference in anxiety and depression scores among doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. Females had significantly higher anxiety (P = 0.003) and depression (P = 0.001) scores than males. Moreover, frontline HCWs had significantly higher depression scores (P = 0.010) than others. The depression, not anxiety, score was significantly higher among those who did not receive the infection prevention training (P = 0.004). The most frequently adopted coping strategies were religious coping (M = 5.98, SD = 1.73), acceptance (M = 5.59, SD = 1.55), and coping planning (M = 4.91, SD = 1.85).

A considerable proportion of HCWs are having generalized anxiety and depression during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings call for interventions to mitigate mental health risks in HCWs.

The aim of the study was to investigate mental health and conspiracy theory beliefs concerning COVID-19 among health care professionals (HCPs).

During lockdown, an online questionnaire gathered data from 507 HCPs (432 females aged 33.86 ± 8.63 and 75 males aged 39.09 ± 9.54).

A post-stratification method to transform the study sample was used; descriptive statistics were calculated.

Anxiety and probable depression were increased 1.5–2-fold and were higher in females and nurses. Previous history of depression was the main risk factor. The rates of believing in conspiracy theories concerning the COVID-19 were alarming with the majority of individuals (especially females) following some theory to at least some extend.

The current paper reports high rates of depression, distress and suicidal thoughts in the HCPs during the lockdown, with a high prevalence of beliefs in conspiracy theories. Female gender and previous history of depression acted as risk factors, while the belief in conspiracy theories might act as a protective factor. The results should be considered with caution due to the nature of the data (online survey on a self-selected but stratified sample).

Assessment of mental health in medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic helps to prevent the delayed negative consequences of work under high risk.

The study compares the perceived stress and coping ability in medical staff caring for patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and in professionals, working with other patients.

Online survey involved 249 doctors and medical staff of a Moscow hospital aged 19 to 60 (80 men and 169 women). 135 people worked directly with COVID-19 patients and 114 specialists did not. The study was conducted with the Perceived Stress Scale (10-items) amidst the first wave of COVID-19 in Russia, in May 2020.

No significant differences were found in the stress levels between the two groups of healthcare providers. On average, the sample revealed an increased level of stress (15.4 with standard values of 12-13). The general indicator of perceived stress (F = 13.471; p <0.001), stress level (F = 12.333; p = 0.001) and stress resistance (F = 6.003; p = 0.015) in women is significantly higher than in men. In addition, women working with COVID-19 patients have a higher level of stress resistance than women working with other patients (F = 3.432; p = 0.045).

The perception of stress by healthcare staff during the COVID-19 pandemic increases independently on whether or not they work with infected patients. Although stress is higher in women, they are better at coping, especially in extreme situations. The reported study was funded by RFBR, project number 20-04-60174.

In these unprecedented times, the medical workers particularly at the frontlines of the pandemic are vulnerable to psychological trauma rooted in the new demands of their work, as well as the prevailing sense of insecurity and safety concerns for themselves and their loved ones.

To explore the mental health impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the front-line health care workers in a tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Frontline healthcare workers will include all doctors, nurses and paramedical staff performing duties that involve dealing directly with known or suspected cases of COVID-19 at triage clinics, ICUs and isolation wards. Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) and Impact of events scale-revised (IES-R) were administered to them to assess the mental health of these frontlines.

A total of 94 frontlines were included in the study. 76(80.9%) had no significant depression while 18 (19.1%) had presence of significant depression. 62 (66%) had no significant anxiety while 32 (34%) had significant anxiety. Female gender and degree of contact with high clinical suspicion cases were significantly related with presence of anxiety and depression among the study participants. Being female, single, a nurse or a paramedic and degree of contact with high clinical suspicion cases was significantly related with presence of stress among the frontlines. People working in ICU or corona isolation unit had more chances of having trauma as compared to other frontlines.

Depression, anxiety, stress and trauma were common among the front liners fighting in this pandemic

COVID19 outbreak had affected physical and mental health of individuals. Different adverse health behaviors had worsened and eating disorders had evolved. Health care workers were not spared.

To screen binge eating disorder among health care workers of regional hospital of Gabes (south of Tunisia) and its associated factors.

We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, from April 19, 2020, to May 5, 2020 on 289 in Gabes regional Hospital. All healthcare workers were included (n=620). Workers who were on sick leave during the study were excluded. During this period, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 exceeded 900 cases in Tunisia and around 20 cases in Gabes. We used a self-administered anonymous questionnaire containing sociodemographic and clinical data. DSM-5 diagnostic criteria were used to assess Binge-Eating Disorder.

Of the 289 responding participants, 85 were physicians (29%), 166 nurses (57.4%), 8 ambulance drivers (2.8%) and 30 health-related administrators (10.3%). A total of 100 participants (34.6%) were frontline health care workers directly engaged in diagnosing, treating or caring for patients with coronavirus disease. Nine percent of participants experienced binge eating disorder during the outbreak. Binge eating disorders were associated to past psychiatric history of eating disorder (p=0.001), social isolation (p=0.001), increased consumption of tea and coffee (p=0.02) and the fact of being a frontline care giver (p=0.009).

Binge eating disorders are usually associated with health problems: obesity and consequently severe form of coronavirus disease. Screening those disorders is important to alleviate its physical impact.

Health care workers in emergency department and intensive care are usually exposed to stressful situations, which require an early intervention.

To assess the prevalence of anxiety among health care workers in emergency department and to determine its associated factors.

It was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study including health care workers assigned to emergency ward and intensive care unit of Hedi Chaker and Habib Bourguiba hospitals in Sfax and the regional hospital of Kebili. Data was collected by an anonymous and confidential self- administered questionnaire. We used hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD) to assess anxiety and depression.

The participation rate was 48.8% (n=240). The mean age was 37 years, 59.2% were female and 62% were married. Mean work experience was 11 years. 79.2% assured night shifts (average= 1.5 night shifts per week) and 71.7% benefited of compensatory rest. Our study revealed that 32.5 % of health care workers were suffering from anxiety. In univariate study, anxiety was significantly correlated with the female gender (p=0.004), the lack of practice of leisure activities (p=0.004), with absence of compensatory rest (p=0.001), with sleep disturbances (p=0.001) and with depression (p<10-3). Multivariate study pointed that anxiety was associated with lack of practice of leisure activities (OR=2.7[1.09-6.99]; p=0.006), absence of compensatory rest (OR=2.7[1.3-5.5]; p=0.004), depression (OR=3[1.5-6]; p= 0.001) and with sleep disturbances (OR=2.8[1.4-5.7]; p=0.004).

Anxiety affected one in three emergency caregivers. Stress management programs for emergency caregivers can be of great help in dealing with this problem.

Covid19 pandemic in Tunisia has disturbed the health system. Health care workers, who were in the frontline to face this disease, had experienced reactions of anxiety, depression and distress.

To assess the level of anxiety and depression among health care workers of regional hospital of Gabes (south of Tunisia) and its associated factors.

We conducted a cross-sectional study, from April 19, 2020, to May 5, 2020 on healthcare workers in Gabes regional Hospital. All hospital departments and units were included. We used a self-administered anonymous questionnaire containing sociodemographic and clinical data. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) validated in the Tunisian dialectal version was used to assess anxiety and depression.

Among the 289 responding participants, 100 (34.6%) were frontline health care workers directly engaged in managing patients with coronavirus disease. Our study revealed that 43.6% of health care workers were suffering from anxiety and 44.3 % from depression. There was a significant association between anxiety and female gender (p<0.001), being married (p=0.006), mental health conditions (p<0.001) especially anxiety disorders (p<0.001) and depressive disorders (p=0.03), personal medical history of dysthyroidism (p=0.013) and smoking (p=0.005). Nurses experienced more likely anxiety symptoms than other occupation (p=0.021). There was significant relationship between depression and female gender (p<0.001), married status (p=0.02), age under 50 (p=0.032) and mental health conditions (p<0.001) such as anxiety disorders (p=0.001) and depressive disorders (p=0.013).

It is crucial to provide care for health care workers with mental health problems during their struggle with covid19.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a great impact on health care workers (HCWs) who are exposed to high levels of stress and trauma leading to negative mental health outcomes, including stress-related symptoms and depressive symptoms.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety and post traumatic stress symptoms related to to the COVID 19 pandemic in Cyprus.

In this cross-sectional study, we report on mental health outcomes among HCWs in Cyprus. Data were collected between May 3rd and May 27th, 2020, using an online questionnaire that included demographics, the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), assessing depressive symptoms, the Impact of Events Scale Revised (IES-R) measuring PTSD symptoms and the 10 item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) measuring stress.

424 Health Care Workers (HCWs) participated in the study. 79 HCWs (18,6%) scored in PHQ-9 above the cut-off for depression while 62 HCWs (14,6%) scored high enough in IES-R indicating a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. The prevalence of depression and PTSD symptoms were significantly higher among nurses compared to doctors and other HCWs. (20.7% versus 10.8%; adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.70 [95% CI, 1.06 to 2.73]), after adjustment for age and sex.

Even in countries like Cyprus with minimum impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on the mental health of HCWs is substantial with nurses being more vulnerable.

Studies from the beginning of 2020 show that symptoms of depression and anxiety are increasing among health care workers. It is important to assess the dynamics of health care workers mental health.

To assess the dynamic of symptoms of depression and anxiety among health care workers over a 3-month period during the COVID-19 pandemia in Latvia.

A longitudinal cohort study of symptoms of depression and anxiety in the population of physicians, physician assistants and nurses in Latvia during the COVID-19 pandemia. Symptoms of depression were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale, symptoms of anxiety were assessed using the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, cut-off score for both scales was 10. Initial data was collected on April-May 2020 with a 3 month follow-up.. Data was analyzed using SPSS- Related-Samples McNemar test.

348 physicians were initially included (women 83,9%, mean age 45,17±14,02) and 376 physicians assistants and nurses (women 88,2%, mean age 39,99±12,97). After the 3-month follow up 189 physicians (women 88,40%, mean age 45,01±13,57) and 141 physicians assistants and nurses were left (women 88,00%, mean age 39,96 ±12,59). During the 3 months symptoms of depression among physicians rose from 26,80% (n=94) to 27,5% (n=52), symptoms of anxiety from 17,70% (n=62) to 20,6% (n=39). Depression symptoms among physician assistants and nurses dropped from 25,50% (n=96) to 23,9% (n=34), symptoms of anxiety stayed almost the same 18,20% (n=68) to 18,30% (n=26). Symptoms of depression among physicians changed from 26,80% (n=94) to 27,5% (n=52), symptoms of anxiety from 17,70% (n=62) to 20,6% (n=39), changes were not statistically significant (p=0,281; p=0,725). Symptoms of depression among physician assistants and nurses changed from 25,50% (n=96) to 23,9% (n=34), symptoms of anxiety from 18,20% (n=68) to 18,30% (n=26), changes were not statistically significant (p=0,405; p=0,664).

No change in the dynamics of symptoms of depression and anxiety among health care workers over a 3-month period during the COVID-19 pandemia in Latvia was observed.

The aims of the study were to investigate the burden for health care workers (HCWs) who suffer from occupational-related adverse events (ORAEs) while working in contaminated areas in a specialized hospital for novel coronavirus pneumonia, to explore related risk factors, to evaluate the effectiveness of bundled interventions, as well as to provide scientific evidence regarding the reduction of risks concerning ORAEs and occupational exposure events.

The study was completed using a special team of 138 HCWs assembled for a specialized hospital for novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, dated from February 16 to March 26, 2020. The incidence of occupational exposure was determined by data reported from the hospital, while the prevalence of ORAEs was derived from questionnaire results. The relation coefficients of ORAEs and the variable potential risk factors are analyzed by logistic regression. After the risk factors were identified, targeted organized intervention was implemented and chi-square tests were performed to compare the incidence of occupational exposure and the prevalence of ORAEs in contaminated areas before and after the interventions.

Ninety one out of 138 (65.94%) had reported ORAEs with 300 (27.96%) cases of ORAEs being recorded in a total of 1073 entries into contaminated areas. The prevalence of different ORAEs include 205 tenderness (24.73%), 182 headache/dizziness (21.95%), 138 dyspnea (16.65%), 130 blurred vision (15.68%), and 95 nausea/vomiting (11.46%). Personal protective equipment (PPE) is significantly associated with ORAEs in contaminated areas (P < 0.05). Among non-PPE-related factors, insomnia is associated with the majority of ORAEs in contaminated areas. Significant differences were achieved after organized interventions in the incidence of occupational exposure of HCWs (χ2 = 39.07, P < 0.001) and the prevalence of ORAEs in contaminated areas (χ2 = 22.95, P < 0.001).

During the epidemic period of novel severe respiratory infectious disease, the burden of the ORAEs in contaminated areas and the risk of occupational exposure of HCWs were relatively high. In time, comprehensive and multi-level bundled interventions may help decrease the risk of both ORAEs and occupational exposure.