Concern about COVID-19 infection and workload as predictors of psychological distress during the health emergency in Peruvian healthcare personnel

Introduction

During the health emergency, there is concern about the mental health repercussions that Peruvian health workers, who represent the front line of care for COVID-19, may be experiencing.

Objective

To determine whether concern about COVID-19 and workloads predict psychological distress in healthcare workers.

Methods

Predictive study in which 367 workers (nurses, doctors, nursing assistants, obstetricians, dentists, psychologists, nutritionists, among others) from 12 health networks in the Puno region participated, selected through intentional non-probabilistic sampling. The data were collected via the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, the COVID-19 Scale of Concern and the Workload Scale.

Results

It was found that there are no significant differences between men and women in psychological discomfort and concern about COVID-19 infection and workload. Furthermore, highly significant correlations were found between the study variables (P < .01). Multiple regression analysis showed an adequate adjustment for the model (F = 94.834; P < .001), where concern about COVID-19 (β = –0.436; P < .01) and workload (β = 0.239; P < .01) are variables that significantly predict psychological discomfort (adjusted R² = 0.33).

Conclusions

Concern about COVID-19 and work overload predict psychological distress in health personnel in the Puno region.