Assessing sleep and psychological problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers of Employees' State Insurance Corporation, India

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has inflated the risks faced by healthcare workersand may increase their susceptibility to sleep and psychological problems. This cross-sectional observational study assessed the sleep and psychological problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers of Employees State Insurance Corporation, an organized sector under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, India. Method: Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia and perceived stress among 492 healthcare workers in Employees State Insurance Corporation hospitals and dispensaries in Delhi and the National Capital Territory Region, India. Results: Logistic regression determined that factors of workplace type and frequency of hand washing were associated with anxiety;workplace type, job profile, occupation, formal COVID-19 training and adequate personal protective equipment were predictors of perceived stress;job profile was a common predictor of depression and insomnia;workplace type and formal COVID-19 training were associated with depression and insomnia, respectively. Limitations: This study was limited to healthcare workers in Employees State Insurance Corporation of Delhi and NCR which limits its generalizability to other regions of India. Conclusions: Healthcare workers are exposed to increased risk in the execution of their duties and require support to secure their wellbeing. Policies, systems for early detection of sleep and psychological problems, training, preparedness and efficacy in crisis management are suggested to reduce and prevent the occurrence of these problems among HCWs.