Incidence of Depression and Associated Occupational Factors Among Healthcare Workers During Covid-19 Pandemics in Latvia

Description

During the first 6 months of the Covid pandemic, the prevalence of depressive symptoms in the population of health care workers (HCW) increased from 24.8% to 33.5% in Latvia. Aim of the study is to assess 6 months incidence of depression and associated occupational factors among HCW during Covid-19 pandemics in Latvia.. A longitudinal quantitative study in the population of HCW (physicians, physicians assistants, nurses and others) in Latvia was made in April-June 2022 with repeated interviews after 3 and 6 months. Participants were selected by non-probability sampling approach. Participants without symptoms of depression during first interview were included in further interviews.
Depression was assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), cut-off score-10. Survey included occupational factors as work experience, workplace, profession and contact with Covid-19 patients. Data were analysed using the Chi-square test, analysis was performed using SPSSv25. 312 HCW were included in data analysis, of whom 86.9% (N=271)- women, age median- 44.0 (IQR 30.0-55.0). 19,2% (N=60) HCW developed symptoms of depression during first 6 months of pandemics. Work experience more that 20 years was associated with lower incidence of symptoms of depression (p=0.042), working in general practice was associated with higher 6 months incidence of symptoms of depression (p=0.031). Age, gender, profession and contact with covid patients were not associated with 6 months incidence of symptoms of depression (p=0.116; p=0.185; p=0.395; p=0.562). 19,2% HCW developed symptoms of depression during the first 6 months of Covid-19 pandemics in Latvia. Working in general practitioners’ office is occupational risk factor and higher work experience is occupational protective factor for incidence of symptoms of depression among HCW during first 6 months of Covid-19 pandemics in Latvia.

Period	29 Mar 2023
Event title	RSU Research week 2023: Society. Health. Welfare
Event type	Conference
Conference number	9
Organiser	Rīga Stradiņš University
Location	Riga, LatviaShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International