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Stress and Associated Factors among Frontline Healthcare Workers in the COVID-19 Epicenter of Da Nang City, Vietnam

Author

Listed:
  • Nhan Phuc Thanh Nguyen

    (Institute for Community Health Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 530000, Vietnam)

  • Duong Dinh Le

    (Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 530000, Vietnam)

  • Robert Colebunders

    (Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo

    (Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Trung Dinh Tran

    (Faculty of Public Health, Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam)

  • Thang Van Vo

    (Institute for Community Health Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 530000, Vietnam
    Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 530000, Vietnam)

Abstract

Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) involved in the COVID-19 response have a higher risk of experiencing psychosocial distress amidst the pandemic. Between July and September 2020, a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic appeared in Vietnam with Da Nang city being the epicenter. During the outbreak, HCWs were quarantined within the health facilities in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19 to their respective communities. Using the stress component of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), we assessed the level of stress among HCWs in Da Nang city. Between 30 August and 15 September 2020, 746 frontline HCWs were recruited to fill in an online structured questionnaire. Overall, 44.6% of participants experienced increased stress and 18.9% severe or extremely severe stress. In multivariable analysis, increased stress was associated with longer working hours (OR = 1.012; 95% CI: 1.004–1.019), working in health facilities providing COVID-19 treatment (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.04–2.39), having direct contact with patients or their bio-samples (physicians, nurses and laboratory workers; OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.02–1.99), low confidence in the available personal protective equipment (OR = 0.846; 95% CI: 0.744–0.962) and low knowledge on COVID-19 prevention and treatment (OR = 0.853; 95% CI: 0.739–0.986). In conclusion, many frontline HCWs experienced increased stress during the COVID-19 outbreak in Da Nang city. Reducing working time, providing essential personal protective equipment and enhancing the knowledge on COVID-19 will help to reduce this stress. Moreover, extra support is needed for HCWs who are directly exposed to COVID-19 patients.

Suggested Citation

  • Nhan Phuc Thanh Nguyen & Duong Dinh Le & Robert Colebunders & Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo & Trung Dinh Tran & Thang Van Vo, 2021. "Stress and Associated Factors among Frontline Healthcare Workers in the COVID-19 Epicenter of Da Nang City, Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-9, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7378-:d:591822
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gabriele Giorgi & Luigi Isaia Lecca & Federico Alessio & Georgia Libera Finstad & Giorgia Bondanini & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Giulio Arcangeli & Nicola Mucci, 2020. "COVID-19-Related Mental Health Effects in the Workplace: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-22, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tai Tan Tran & Thang Van Vo & Tuyen Dinh Hoang & Minh Vu Hoang & Nhu Thi Quynh Tran & Robert Colebunders, 2022. "Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures among Dental Care Workers in Vietnam: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Iwona Malinowska-Lipień & Tadeusz Wadas & Joanna Sułkowska & Magdalena Suder & Teresa Gabryś & Maria Kózka & Agnieszka Gniadek & Tomasz Brzostek, 2021. "Emotional Control among Nurses against Work Conditions and the Support Received during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-16, September.
    3. Susan Gritzka & Peter Angerer & Reinhard Pietrowsky & Mathias Diebig, 2022. "The Impact of the Implementation of Preventive Measures Due to COVID-19 on Work Design and Early Childhood Professionals’ Well-Being—A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-30, February.

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