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Mental Health Status of Healthcare Professionals and Students of Health Sciences Faculties in Kuwait during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Zahra Alsairafi

    (Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait City 12037, Kuwait)

  • Abdallah Y. Naser

    (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, Isra University, Amman 33, Jordan)

  • Fatemah M. Alsaleh

    (Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait City 12037, Kuwait)

  • Abdelmoneim Awad

    (Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait City 12037, Kuwait)

  • Zahraa Jalal

    (School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, UK)

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health status of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and undergraduate students in the health sciences center (HSCUs). In addition, it explored the factors associated with the increased levels of mental health burden among the study population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using two online-administered questionnaires: the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), which were distributed in parallel to HCPs and HSCUs in Kuwait. These instruments are validated assessment scales to assess mental health status: depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7). Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS- version 25. Results: A total of 857 individuals (559 HCPs and 298 HSCUs) participated in this study. The prevalence of moderately severe depression or severe depression (PHQ-9 total score of ≥15) among respondents was 66.6%. The median (interquartile range, IQR) PHQ-9 score was significantly higher among HSCUs (20 {11.5}) compared to HCPs (17 {8}). The prevalence of severe anxiety (GAD-7 total score of ≥15) among respondents was 36.7%. There were no significant differences between the median (IQR) GAD-7 scores among the HCPs (14 {7}) and HSCUs (13 {8}). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that three variables were significantly and independently associated with severe depression among HCPs. The prevalence of severe depression was found to be greater among females compared to males. In addition, it was significantly lower among those who were aged ≥50 years, and those who reported that they were not in direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Among HSCUs, females showed greater depression than males. In contrast, those aged >29 years and who had no history of chronic disease showed lower depression compared to their counterparts in the 18–29 years age group and who had a chronic disease history. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on the mental health of HCPs and HSCUs in Kuwait. This highlights the need for proactive efforts to support their mental health and well-being through educational campaigns and psychological support programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Zahra Alsairafi & Abdallah Y. Naser & Fatemah M. Alsaleh & Abdelmoneim Awad & Zahraa Jalal, 2021. "Mental Health Status of Healthcare Professionals and Students of Health Sciences Faculties in Kuwait during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:2203-:d:504556
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nowall Al-Sayegh & Khazna Al-Enezi & Mohammed Nadar & Elizabeth Dean, 2020. "Health Status, Behaviors, and Beliefs of Health Sciences Students and Staff at Kuwait University: Toward Maximizing the Health of Future Health Professionals and Their Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-15, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sarah AlKandari & Ahmad Salman & Fatima Al-Ghadban & Rasheed Ahmad, 2022. "A Cross-Sectional Study to Examine the Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers in Kuwait," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-10, August.
    2. Monika Talarowska & Kinga Rucka & Mateusz Kowalczyk & Jan Chodkiewicz & Edward Kowalczyk & Michał Seweryn Karbownik & Monika Sienkiewicz, 2023. "Mental Health of Students at Polish Universities after Two Years of the Outbreak of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.
    3. Mohd Noor Norhayati & Ruhana Che Yusof & Mohd Yacob Azman, 2021. "Prevalence of Psychological Impacts on Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Asia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-15, August.
    4. Sawsan M. A. Abuhamdah & Abdallah Y. Naser & Ghada Mohammad Abdelwahab & Ahmad AlQatawneh, 2021. "The Prevalence of Mental Distress and Social Support among University Students in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, November.
    5. Abdallah Y. Naser & Eman Zmaily Dahmash & Zahra Khalil Alsairafi & Hassan Alwafi & Hamad Alyami & Zahraa Jalal & Ahmed M. Al Rajeh & Vibhu Paudyal & Yosra J. Alhartani & Fawaz Mohammad Turkistani & Fa, 2021. "Knowledge and Practices during the COVID-19 Outbreak in the Middle East: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, April.

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