AUTHOR=Chua Gilbert T. , Tung Keith T. S. , Kwan Mike Yat Wah , Wong Rosa S. , Chui Celine S. L. , Li Xue , Wong Wilfred H. S. , Tso Winnie W. Y. , Fu King Wa , Chan Ko Ling , Wing Yun Kwok , Chen Eric Yu Hai , Chun Lee Tatia Mei , Rao Nirmala , Chan Godfrey C. F. , Hon Ellis K. L. , Hung Ivan Fan Ngai , Lau Kui Kai , Ho Marco H. K. , Wong Kirstie , Xiong Xiaoli , Chi Shuiqing , Tang Shao-tao , Tam Paul K. H. , Wong Ian C. K. , Ip Patrick
TITLE=Multilevel Factors Affecting Healthcare Workers’ Perceived Stress and Risk of Infection During COVID-19 Pandemic
JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health
VOLUME=66
YEAR=2021
URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2021.599408
DOI=10.3389/ijph.2021.599408
ISSN=1661-8564
ABSTRACT=Objectives: This study aimed to identify key factors affecting Healthcare workers (HCWs) perceived stress and risk of contracting COVID-19 among themselves and their family members during the pandemic.
Methods: A cross-sectional online questionnaire study was conducted between 19 March and April 5, 2020 in Hong Kong. HCWs from public hospitals and private dentists, and their family members participated.
Results: A total of 747 HCWs and 245 family members participated. Higher perceived stress in HCWs was associated with more negative changes in family relationship (p = 0.025). The HCWs’ perceived stress, however, was positively associated with family cohesion (p = 0.033) and stress levels of family members (p < 0.001). The level of HCWs’ satisfaction toward the hospital policies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak was associated with lower levels of perceived stress and risk of themselves or their family members contracting COVID-19. HCWs’ previous frontline experience of SARS was significantly associated with less perceived risk of themselves or their family members contracting COVID-19.
Conclusion: Hospital policies addressing HCWs’ needs, frontline experience of SARS, and family relationship influenced psychological wellbeing of HCWs during the COVID-19 outbreak.