{"title":"Epidemiological investigation of depressive disorders in healthcare workers throughout 12 years in the governorate of Sousse, Tunisia","authors":"Marwa Bouhoula , Amen Moussa , Asma Chouchane , Amal Ghenim , Rania Elghezal , Asma Gaddour , Narjes Belhadj , Sonia Kammoun , Asma Aloui , Imène Kacem , Maher Maoua , Houda Kalboussi , Olfa Elmaalel , Souheil Chatti , Aicha Brahem","doi":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101967","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Depressive disorders are a major global health challenge and are projected to become a leading cause of disability by 2030.</div></div><div><h3>Aims</h3><div>Examine the epidemiological characteristics of depressive disorders among healthcare workers and identify key associated risk factors.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the Regional Health Directorate of Sousse, focusing on healthcare workers on long-term sick leave (LTSL) due to depressive disorders from 2010 to 2021. Data were collected from medical and administrative records and a questionnaire covering socio-professional and medical information. Diagnoses were based on DSM-5 criteria. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 650 healthcare workers studied, 12.8 % were diagnosed with depressive disorders. Of these, 13 % reported work-related conflicts, 3.5 % had exposure to severe infectious diseases before COVID-19, and 17 % had direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Additionally, 71.4 % of participants with depressive disorders presented with anxiety, and 50 % had moderate depression. Significant associations (p < 0.05) were found between disorder severity and occupational exposures, medical history, and the impact of COVID-19.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Depressive disorders among healthcare workers are a pressing public health issue, with occupational factors like work-related conflicts and exposure to infectious diseases identified as key risk factors. Addressing these issues through psychological support programs and workplace interventions is essential to safeguard the mental well-being of healthcare workers and ensure the sustainability of healthcare services.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46404,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101967"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213398425000569","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Depressive disorders are a major global health challenge and are projected to become a leading cause of disability by 2030.
Aims
Examine the epidemiological characteristics of depressive disorders among healthcare workers and identify key associated risk factors.
Methods
A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the Regional Health Directorate of Sousse, focusing on healthcare workers on long-term sick leave (LTSL) due to depressive disorders from 2010 to 2021. Data were collected from medical and administrative records and a questionnaire covering socio-professional and medical information. Diagnoses were based on DSM-5 criteria. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26.
Results
Among 650 healthcare workers studied, 12.8 % were diagnosed with depressive disorders. Of these, 13 % reported work-related conflicts, 3.5 % had exposure to severe infectious diseases before COVID-19, and 17 % had direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Additionally, 71.4 % of participants with depressive disorders presented with anxiety, and 50 % had moderate depression. Significant associations (p < 0.05) were found between disorder severity and occupational exposures, medical history, and the impact of COVID-19.
Conclusion
Depressive disorders among healthcare workers are a pressing public health issue, with occupational factors like work-related conflicts and exposure to infectious diseases identified as key risk factors. Addressing these issues through psychological support programs and workplace interventions is essential to safeguard the mental well-being of healthcare workers and ensure the sustainability of healthcare services.
期刊介绍:
Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health (CEGH) is a multidisciplinary journal and it is published four times (March, June, September, December) a year. The mandate of CEGH is to promote articles on clinical epidemiology with focus on developing countries in the context of global health. We also accept articles from other countries. It publishes original research work across all disciplines of medicine and allied sciences, related to clinical epidemiology and global health. The journal publishes Original articles, Review articles, Evidence Summaries, Letters to the Editor. All articles published in CEGH are peer-reviewed and published online for immediate access and citation.