This study assesses the determinants and severity of psychological distress among frontline Ministry of Health workers within Saudi Arabia during the rapid acceleration phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. Moreover, we assess distress sustainability and stress-coping behaviors. We conducted an online national cross-sectional survey. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (k10) is a highly reliable instrument used to assess depression and anxiety. We evaluated stress-coping behavior and the persistence of the disorders. Binary logistic regression identified the sociodemographic factors related to severe distress. The prevalence of severe psychological distress among COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) was 27.3%. Factors associated with severe psychological distress in multiple regression analyses were male gender (p < 0.001), working for >45 hours/week (p = 0.009), age of >40 years (p = 0.038), years of experience for more than seven years (p = 0.048), Asir region (p = 0.003), and using psychological services (p < 0.001). The prevalence of severe psychological distress was 27.3%. Factors associated with severe psychological distress in multiple regression analyses were male gender, working >45 hours/week, age, years of experience, region, and using psychological services. The results form a foundation for targeted psychological health support services at the individual and institutional levels to prevent progression to mental illness.
【저자키워드】 Healthcare workers, COVID 19, Kessler psychological distress scale, coping behavior, males, k10, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, coronavirus disease, Anxiety, Depression, severity, Gender, progression, Saudi Arabia, Prevalence, Epidemic, HCWs, persistence, male, Psychological distress, age, Psychological, scale, Analysis, distress, cross-sectional survey, Support, psychological health, determinant, Binary logistic regression, Factor, disorders, Multiple regression, mental illness, National, Sociodemographic factor, Ministry of Health, Prevent, Seven, evaluated, conducted, frontline healthcare worker, 【제목키워드】 COVID-19, Saudi Arabia, Impact, worker,